A NEW hostel for vulnerable youngsters is set to open on a north Swindon estate.

The hostel, at Silbury Mews, Moredon, is run by Threshold Housing Link and will provide a base for up to six people aged between 16 and 21 to help them integrate into the community.

The shared accommodation will be staffed by a team of resettlement workers who will help the youngsters develop their life skills, education and employment chances.

Resettlement manager Cher Sawyer said: "Placing youngsters in accommodation at motorway services does not work.

"They need supervision, care and attention. They need personal advisers and mentors and this project aims to provide this."

Threshold Housing Link was launched in 1972, providing a soup run to homeless people sleeping rough on the streets of Swindon.

Now the charity operates a 20-bed direct access hostel for homeless men, providing high quality, short stay accommodation, seven days a week. It also offers advice, support, meals and a laundry service for the homeless.

THL already operates a network of four resettlement houses, for people needing support and life-skills training before moving into independent accommodation.