SINGLE homeless people are to receive help to start a new life.

The Three Rivers Housing Group has refurbished a block of flats on the outskirts of Durham City to enable the homeless to start living independently.

The group obtained £136,000 funding from a variety of sources to turn a ten-bedroom hostel with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities into eight self-contained flats.

Pete Ottowell, customer services director at Three Rivers Housing Group, said: "Having their own facilities will give them a greater sense of ownership and responsibility."

The project is run by Durham Action on Single Housing (Dash), a support organisation set up in 1989.

The building has been named Harry Mears House in memory of a dedicated Dash volunteer who worked with the organisation for 15 years.

It was re-opened by his widow, Margaret, at a ceremony last week.