A hostel for homeless young people has re-opened in Didcot, despite being threatened with closure because of a cash crisis.

The bedsit hostel in Great Western Drive has received a £200,000 facelift and reopened as The Hagbourne's.

The hostel was built more than ten years ago to provide short-term supervised accommodation for young, single people, who might otherwise drift towards cities.

It was formerly managed by Didcot Young Persons Housing, which had difficulties securing the necessary funding for the project, despite backing from South Oxfordshire District Council.

But, following meetings with the district council and Stonham Housing Association, the two hostel buildings have now re-opened.

The relaunch was attended by town mayor Jeremy Goff and district council representatives. Molly Newton, regional director of Stonham Housing Association, said the hostel would provide accommodation, care and support to vulnerable young people, between the ages of 16 and 25.

Stonham Housing Association, which will manage The Hagbourne's, is a major provider of supported housing for vulnerable young people.

Mrs Newton said: "We offer more than just accommodation -- a safe and supportive environment where residents can gain independence and control over their lives.

"We will help them to develop living and social skills, enabling them to move on to independent living and a meaningful life."

The young people will be referred to the hostel by the Department of Social Services and the National Probation Service, through the district council housing department.

The hostel buildings provide ten single bedsits. With modifications, one of the buildings has four newly-refurbished, self-contained rooms, each with its own kitchen and separate shower and toilet facilities.

The second building has six rooms, each with a separate kitchenette, shared bathrooms, toilets, and a shower room.

There is a communal lounge, laundry, and access for wheelchairs.

The Hagbourne's has 24-hour staff cover, with support from project workers available overnight, in the event of an emergency.

Freda Griffiths, chairman of the former Didcot Young Persons' Housing, welcomed the re-opening of the hostel which will provide accommodation for young people, for up to two years ,before they move on to more permanent housing.