Volunteers from Bradford Nightstop, which provides emergency accommodation for homeless young people, have been presented with an award by the Duke of York.

Project co-ordinator Bev Johnson and a group of volunteers were awarded the Duke of York's Community Initiative award.

Presented to them at RAF Linton-on-Ouse near York, it recognises the work of the organisation's 60-strong volunteer team.

"Prince Andrew spent ten minutes talking to us about Nightstop and the issue of homelessness among young people, he was very interested in our service," said Bev.

Launched in 1993, the Manningham-based charity sees volunteers opening their homes to homeless young people. Other volunteers are involved in referral and administrative work.

The charity, which received £2,070 from Streetsmart in 2003, helps people aged 16-25. Volunteers provide a spare room, a hot meal, a shower or bath and a clean change of clothes.

Streetsmart, a national charity, raises funds for organisations helping the homeless through a winter campaign involving diners in restaurants adding £1 to their bills. The campaign, backed by the T&A, was launched in Bradford three years ago.

Last year Bradford Nightstop dealt with 825 young people, equivalent to more than two a day.

"Without our volunteers working behind the scenes, the volunteer hosts wouldn't be able to give up their spare rooms," said Bev.

Malcolm Vincent is an emergency telephone contact volunteer for Nightstop.

"It's wonderful that this award recognises volunteers," he said. "Bev gave an excellent speech about the work of Streetsmart, there were tears in people's eyes and afterwards someone put a cash donation in my pocket.

"The Prince was very interested, he wanted to know how we decide which young people to accommodate, how many beds we have, how young people become homeless, what happens to them after Nightstop. As a parent he was concerned about the numbers of teenagers on the streets, and how easy it is to end up homeless."

Malcolm became a volunteer seven years ago after hearing a talk about Nightstop. He went on a training course and now deals with telephone referrals from agencies like the police, housing advice teams and the Samaritans. Young people are assessed before being allowed to stay in volunteers' homes.

For information about Bradford Nightstop ring (01274) 776888. To get involved ring Thanos or Lynda Dimou on (01274) 589000.