A NEW night shelter for homeless youngsters, costing more than a quarter of a million pounds, is to be built in Blackpool town centre after borough councillors gave plans the green light.

Work will begin on the new £275,000 eight bed shelter next month, together with training facilities which will be used to 'equip youngsters with essential life skills'.

The new shelter was given the thumbs up by Blackpool Borough Council at a planning meeting last Monday (June 30).

It will replace an existing six bed dormitory housed in a former air raid shelter at St John's Church, Church Street. That shelter, run by the Streetlife Trust, will be demolished.

"The new night shelter will provide emergency accommodation for eight young people, together with training facilities to equip them with essential life skills," said a council spokeswoman.

She said the project would be funded by the office of the deputy prime minister (ODPM), and that 'temporary arrangements' would be made to provide an emergency facility during the building work, expected to be completed towards the end of this year.

Jane Hugo, Streetlife manager, said: "Shelters like this do not just put a roof over someone's head -- they provide the tools and opportunities to allow young people to rebuild their lives and leave the world of homelessness behind."

Councillor Sue Wright, Blackpool Borough Council's portfolio holder for health and wellbeing, said: "The funding and support from the ODPM will enable our young people to get back home or to get back into society, giving them a brighter future."

Reverend Sandra Purvis said St John's fully supported Streetlife, adding: "We look forward to the opening of the new building.