A £3.6 MILLION complex aimed at helping young people kick-start their lives is on course to open next year, it was revealed today.

The Blackburn Foyer, which is under construction in Feilden Street, will provide safe and affordable accommodation for up to 18 months.

The complex, being funded by Government cash under the first round of Single Regeneration Budget scheme dished out seven years ago, will consist of 34 single-person apartments and eight flats for lone parents.

A number of other agencies have been involved in the project -- originally pioneered in France in the 1950s -- including St Vincent's Housing Association, Blackburn with Darwen Council, Nightsafe, Blackburn College and ELTEC.

The concept behind the scheme is simple -- if people want to stay there, they have to agree to an 18-month programme to teach them new skills, both educational and practical, which will set them up for life.

A spokesman for the council's regeneration department said: "The projects surrounding the first round of SRB cash are now nearing completion. The key project still under construction is the Blackburn Foyer.

"Excellent progress is being made and the site is scene of much activity.

"The Foyer is on target to be complete in March and it is proposed that the opening of the foyer be used as the first of a number of events to highlight the achievements of SRB."

Blackburn MP and then Home Secretary Jack Straw unveiled a plaque when work began on the site earlier this year. It will feature education and training support for personal and social development, jobsearch facilities, moving on and resettlement advice and driving tuition.

The building will include IT and training resources, a laundry, a parent and children lounge, a kitchen area, play area, interview rooms and commercial area.

There are currently 96 Foyers in the UK, including those at Blackpool, Morecambe and Manchester, which opened in 1998.

A similar scheme has also started in South Ribble.

SRB money is targeted at deprived areas, with the aim of improving quality of life and prospects for residents.

Another important project in the SRB scheme was the expansion of the Shadsworth Industrial Estate and Walker Park.

By using the SRB cash to attract new businesses and offer incentives to existing ones, more than 2,000 jobs have remained in the borough which could have gone elsewhere and 2,000 new ones created.