HOMELESS young people in Wyre Forest will benefit from Kidderminster Carnival this year after organisers picked the district’s Nightstop and Mediation service as its chosen charity.

The carnival committee was inundated with requests for support after inviting charities and good causes to apply for support.

More than a dozen responded and carnival chairman Colin Hill said it had been a difficult decision.

One factor, which helped sway the committee’s decision, was whether charities were able to help with the carnival’s fundraising on their behalf.

Mr Hill said: “We are small committee and need the help of our chosen charity - or good cause - to maximise the amount of money we can raise.

“Nightstop is an established charity, which performs a much-needed role in providing shelter for young homeless people. Not only is this invaluable assistance for the young people themselves but helps society at large.”

The charity has host families who provide emergency accommodation for 16 to 25-year-olds for between one night and two weeks, with an average stay being two nights.

The aim is to prevent the young person, who is often from a family which has suffered breakdown, taking to life on the streets.

Project co-ordinator Judith Ford said early intervention was essential as homeless people were five times more likely to go to prison.

She added: “Wyre Forest Nightstop and Mediation is delighted and honoured to have the support of Kidderminster Carnival in 2014.

“Working together we can provide a safe place for more young people who come to us in an emergency.”