HOMES for the next generation of Swindon Town's football stars have been secured thanks to the Evening Advertiser.

Since the news the club had decided to stop using a hostel to house its teenage apprentices, Advertiser readers have bombarded the club with so many offers of help they now have an excess of accommodation on their books.

It had been feared eight youngsters who play for Town's youth side would be left with nowhere to stay, but within a week they have all been re-housed with adoptive families across town.

Joyce and Steve Jelfs of Capesthorne Drive, in Haydon Wick, were one of the families to respond and will take on two of the youngsters from July 1.

Joyce, 38, said: "My husband read the story and suggested we help, so we will now be looking after two of the apprentices. We thought it would be an adventure and quite exciting.

"Although they don't move in until July we've met them and they were so polite, charming and respectful that we could not have wished for a nicer bunch.

"We have been given instructions on their dietary needs, which includes lots of carbohydrates, and that they are not allowed out 48-hours before a game it's quite a strict regime, but I'm sure they'll be fine."

Town chief executive, Mark Devlin, said the cost of housing eight youngsters in the 14-bed County Road hostel, run by former club chairman Cliff Puffett, was proving uneconomical.

Most professional football clubs use private lodgings, or digs, to house their young apprentices.

Even Manchester United star George Best famously stayed with Mrs Fullaway for several years after moving from Northern Ireland.

Swindon Town's youth development officer, Jimmy Fraser, 26, said: "This is fantastic news. We have been viewing houses for the youngsters and have been amazed at the response from the people of Swindon.

"We have had to say 'we'll let you know' to three or four houses because of the amount of interest in the story. These lads are the future of Swindon Town Football Club and are vital because the club can't afford to buy lots of players.

"Lodgings provide the youngsters with a safe environment in which to live and in some cases the landlords were keen for the lads to hone their skills in the garden."