A NEW service to support vulnerable youngsters in the borough has been unveiled by the Mayor of Dudley.

Dudley Lighthouse Links, based on Stourbridge Road, will improve the emotional health and wellbeing of children who are looked after by the local authority, along with young people who are leaving care.

The centre will work to help youngsters with emotional and mental health difficulties who are in or have left care to take advantage of education and employment opportunities.

They will also be supported on how to build meaningful relationships and and to participate positively in the community.

Youngsters must be referred to the team by social services or a medical professional and must live within a 20-mile radius of Dudley to be eligible.

Mayor of Dudley Councillor David Stanley officially opened the new centre at a ribbon cutting ceremony, where he was joined by partners from Dudley Council, the NHS and Dudley Clinical Commissioning Group who have worked together to launch the service.

Councillor Stanley said: "I was delighted to formally open the Dudley Lighthouse Links.

"Supporting our most vulnerable children has got to be a priority for us all, and I am sure this will prove to be a vital facility and service to help us do that."