Volunteers are needed for a new service which will help the police and young offenders.

By law, ten- to 17-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult if they are in police custody. This poses a problem if their parent, carer or guardian is not available.

The Approved Adult Volunteer Service, which is due to start in Oxford this September, having been operating successfully in Reading and other cities across the UK for 18 months, aims to fill this gap.

The volunteers make contact with the young people in custody, help them understand their rights and support them during police interviews - always on a one-to-one basis.

Nova Owen is the community services manager for the charity Parents And Children Together (Pact), which supervises the Oxford and Reading schemes.

Mrs Owen said: "A police custody suite can be a daunting place for a youngster without parental back-up. Our volunteers make contact with the young people concerned, check that they understand their rights and support them during their police interview.

"It's a vital part of the legal process and provides help to a young person at rock bottom."

Paul Booker, Oxford co-ordinator for Pact, said: "We urgently need more people to come forward. We welcome enquiries from any adult from 18 to 80 who is mobile, sympathetic towards young people in difficulty and prepared to give a few hours every month."

The Approved Adult Volunteer Scheme works closely with the Thames Valley Police and the Oxfordshire Youth Offenders Team.

Training courses in custody process, codes of practice and police interviewing procedures will be held for the volunteers at St Aldate's Police Station. Call Paul Booker on 01865 208200 or write to: Pact, Church House, North Hinksey Oxford,