HUNDREDS of vulnerable young people in the North-East could find themselves in "life threatening" situations in the run up to Christmas due to being homeless, a charity has warned.

Centrepoint, which provides support and accommodation to homeless people aged between 16 and 25, estimates 800 youngsters in the region are currently or under threat of sleeping rough in the run up to the festive season.

However, the charity has warned the figure is likely to be a "significant underestimate" of how many youngsters really are at risk of homelessness.

Nationally, the charity has warned 18,000 young people are a risk.

Last night, Centrepoint chief executive Seyi Obakin, said the problem of youth homelessness is "growing" and the charity needs "more help than ever before" to protect these vulnerable young people.

He also warned the Christmas season can be a "bleak, scary, and sometimes life-threatening" situation for young homeless people.

The charity had dubbed today as Bleak Friday, a spin on last week's Black Friday, to highlight the challenges facing homeless youngsters.

Zinnia Young, from Sunderland, became homeless after the birth of her daughter.

She suffered from post-natal depression and found herself sofa surfing when she agreed to put her baby up for adoption.

The 23-year-old, who will celebrate Christmas for the first time this year, is now in her second year of a painting and decorating apprenticeship and is living in privately rented accommodation with support from Centrepoint.

"They encouraged me to look for a job that would make me happy and painting and decorating is the only thing that really helps me.

"Getting a job has really helped with my mental health, being motivated, helped my confidence.

The charity's research found 68 per cent of young homeless people were staying temporarily with extended family or friends to avoid abusive situations.

It has also found 93 per cent of people who have slept rough felt that no-one cared about them and a quarter of homeless people (26 per cent) have stayed with a stranger because they had nowhere else to turn.

Mr Obakin said: “For many, Christmas is a season to splurge with thousands enjoying the Black Friday deals, but for young homeless people across the North East it can be bleak, scary, and sometimes life-threatening.

"While many of us are surrounded by friends and family, enjoying the festivities, it can be easy to forget that not everyone has the same support network or even a safe space to sleep.

"With the problem of youth homelessness growing, we need help now more than ever to protect these vulnerable young people and help them have a brighter New Year.”

Heather Wheeler, minister for homelessness, said: "We are investing more than £1.2bn to tackle all forms of homelessness, including amongst young people."