A project set up to provide accommodation and training for homeless young people in Banbury is to become a short-term night shelter.

Four of the 19 flats at the Foyer in George Street will be used to house people who would otherwise be forced to sleep rough.

The move is part of a plan to provide round-the-clock support for homeless young people.

The Foyer, run by Banbury Homes Housing Association, opened three years ago to help homeless young people. It offered accommodation to young people aged between 16 and 25 who agreed to attend employment training courses.

A Government initiative, Supporting People, provides a new funding framework for supported and sheltered housing, and means the Foyer can take young people needing short-term accommodation, regardless of their commitment to employment training.

David Gould, special projects manager for Banbury Homes, said: "The aim is to ensure that vulnerable people get the help they need to achieve independence."

He said a 24-hour service would mean the Foyer could offer more active support and guidance to young people using the Foyer now and in the future.

He added: "Four of our 19 flats and bedsits will be made available for young people needing short-term shelter.

"It will be in the style of a winter watch scheme but open all the year round."

The Foyer has recruited seven new workers and an assistant manager to staff the scheme 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

But Foyer manager Hilary Woods said that providing decent accommodation was only the tip of the iceberg.