A CHARITY offering young homeless people in Darlington an alternative to sleeping rough is desperate for new volunteers.

Nightstop offers young people temporary accommodation while a more permanent home is being sought.

The charity depends entirely on volunteers who offer a spare room and meals to a homeless youngster.

Each young person, aged between 16 and 24, stays for between one and three nights in a volunteer's home.

During the day they work with Nightstop staff to find somewhere more permanent to live and at night they return to their temporary home.

Once a bed has been found, the charity's staff can help the young person to contact social services and other agencies who could offer them a more permanent solution to their problem.

Sue Woollhouse, Darlington Nightstop co-ordinator, said: "Sometimes, especially over a weekend, a young person may need more than one night's accommodation but we always work to find them somewhere else to stay.

"We usually have somewhere the next day for them to move to."

The charity is currently looking for new volunteers, willing to open up their homes to youngsters who are facing a night on the streets.

Volunteers must be over 18 and willing to offer breakfast, evening meal, a room and access to a bathing facilities.

Volunteers can claim £5 a night for each person they look after but many current helpers do it for free.

Ms Woollhouse said: "They do it out of the goodness of their heart which is great for us because we are a charity and need all the money we can get."

Anyone who would like to help can call (01325) 467616