A REVAMP of a home which helps homeless young people in Redcar and Cleveland was given the civic seal of approval yesterday

Coatham House is celebrating its tenth anniversary with a £106,000 refurbishment of its semi-detached halfway house, in central Redcar.

The refurbishment includes hand basins in the seven bedrooms, a computer training room, laundry room, full redecoration and a new kitchen.

Coatham House helps young, single homeless people to survive and thrive on as little as £40 a week.

The voluntary organisation has six properties throughout the borough - another two in Redcar and three in east Cleveland, giving supported accommodation for a total of 18 youngsters.

Bridget Collins, manager of Coatham House for the past six years, said: "A lot of people don't know what work goes on or the depth of work we do, and this is a great chance to show them.

"We are aiming to help young people look after themselves and to live within the sort of tight budget that they may initially receive on benefit."

Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, Councillor Vilma Collins, was guest of honour at a celebration lunch at the Regency Hotel, in Redcar. She said she believes that Coatham House carries out marvellous work.