A HUSBAND and wife team whose centre for the homeless has helped more than 800 youngsters are planning to open a new shelter.

In 1994, Rev Alan Fishwick, then the vicar of St Andrew's Church in Accrington, and his wife Barbara, opened the Hyndburn Christian Stable, in India Street, to help young people.

Now they want to bring the same kind of project to the Mill Hill area of Blackburn.

They not only provide 16-25 year-olds with shelter but also helps them plan their future, setting them up with permanent accommodation and helping them get their lives back on track.

Last December, the Accrington centre re-opened after being refurbished and now includes seven one-bedroom apartments which youngsters can use for up to a year as they sort their lives out. Barbara Fishwick remains the co-ordinator of the Hyndburn Christian Stable, but her Rev Fishwick has moved on to St Aiden's Church in Mill Hill, Blackburn, where the couple are now working on a similar project. Barbara said: "In Accrington, we are based in one of the 17 most-impoverished areas in the country, and Mill Hill isn't far behind.

"We have seen how successful this project has been and we would like to repeat that success in Mill Hill. We are looking at it and seeing how it could be funded. I am sure we could use the knowledge we have gleaned from this place and do something similar in Mill Hill. The youngsters there have similar problems to the ones we deal with here.

"At the very least, we want to create some sort of Stable link with Mill Hill."

The Hyndburn project relies on volunteers to keep it going and Barbara is keen is see if there is much support for a scheme in Mill Hill.

She added: "Our priority is to get more volunteers in here because we are short at the moment. We only have eight people prepared to work through the night and it is important to us that the centre remains opened 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"It is not uncommon for our volunteers to work 36 hour shifts. I am sure that, with a few more hands, that would get better."

If you can help, ring Barbara on 01254 389157.