A national charity that works with young people at risk of homelessness has welcomed its first resident to its new site in Ashford.

The Amber Foundation has taken over the 13-bedroom Downsview Guesthouse previously seen on Channel 4's 'Three in a Bed' programme.

The charity gained planning permission in October and after months of redecorating and carrying out minor renovations, it is now ready to provide a temporary home for up to 26 residents aged between 16 and 30.

Zain became the first person to move into the site in Willesborough Road, Kennington, when the site opened last week.

Centre manager Sarah Kilvington said: "We’re really excited to welcome our first resident, but of course we would rather we didn’t have to work with any of the residents in an ideal world but we’re really excited to bring them and as time moves on we hope to welcome more and more.

"This is probably better than I ever anticipated.

"The fact that every room has got an ensuite, it's clean and tidy, decorated nicely, and it's a lovely environment for a young person.

"The most important thing is that this is a young person's home so as long as they are happy we will be happy."

The building was put on the market for £1.5 million last year and the charity was able to secure it thanks to funding provided by the Henry Oldfield Trust, a grant-giving charity chaired by Richard Oldfield, Deputy Lieutenant of Kent and former High Sheriff, and a trustee of Amber Foundation.

The Ashford centre adds to the charity's existing centres in Devon, Surrey and Wiltshire, from where it provides education, training and employment support, and works closely with local authorities and other charity partners.

Over 26 years, the charity has taken more than 4,000 young people through the Amber programme, which focuses on physical health and mental well-being, employment readiness, independent living and personal development.

Darren Ellis, fundraising manager, said Kent was chosen for the charity's fourth site as it has one of the highest levels of youth deprivation in the country.

He said: "Amber did extensive research to find where there was the greatest need for our next centre, and Kent had one of the highest rates with 2,500 young people experiencing homelessness last year.

"The figures are just those provided to us by local councils but we expect it to be a lot higher than that because a lot of people will be sofa surfing and living in cars.

"People see Kent as quite an affluent county and it is, but there are also high levels of deprivation.

"We take referrals from anywhere, we take self referrals, from local councils, young offenders institutes, homeless charities and it's about giving them a chance and making them feel valued again."

It's hoped that within six months to a year, the centre will be able to help young people on the programme find their own accommodation or work.

At the other three centres over the last year, there was a 77% success rate of residents going on to find safe accommodation.

The latest figures also show those involved in the programme are 46% less likely to reoffend once spending time at an Amber institute.

To house a young person at Amber Downsview, it costs £5,700 a year which is paid for through fundraising events and grant giving organisations.

While it is now up and running, the charity has applied for planning permission for three garden rooms where all the activities will take place during the residents stay from interview skills, talks on CV writing and creative activities.

Originally the manor house to Holmlea Farm, the guest house sits on a one-acre site with 13 en-suite guest bedrooms and a two-bedroom apartment/holiday let.

The young people using the site will stay in shared rooms with communal cooking and dining facilities.

The charity is now open to referrals.