PRIME MINISTER David Cameron has honoured the work of a North-East homeless charity with a prestigious award.

Nightstop North East offers emergency accommodation to homeless young people throughout the region, providing 16 to 25-year-olds with a safe bed for the night in the home of trained volunteers.

The charity, which has supported more than 850 young people since its inception in 2008, is the latest winner of the Big Society Award.

The award comes as one of the charity’s branches – Nightstop Redcar – looks set to close due to a lack of funding.

Mr Cameron said: “This Big Society Award recognises the achievements of the whole Nightstop team, including the 33 inspirational volunteers who regularly open up their own homes to provide a safe place to sleep when it’s needed most.

”Nightstop North East provides an invaluable service, reaching out a helping hand to some of the region’s most vulnerable young people and getting them off the streets for good.”

Kester Young, Senior Project Worker at Nightstop, said: “We are delighted to receive an award. Nightstop volunteers deserve a huge amount of recognition for the opportunity they provide to some of the most vulnerable in society.

"Time after time the hosts selflessly offer up their home and hospitality to young people in need and, without them and the various other volunteers that provide essential support to office staff on a daily basis, there would be a massive gap in support available to young people."