Leominster'S mayor Patricia Thomas this week called on opponents of a scheme for homeless young people to "give the youngsters a chance."

"We should not condemn them simply for being orphans," Mrs Thomas said of future occupants of the Old Library housing scheme.

Tenants will include teenagers gaining independence after leaving care homes or foster families and, on occasion, some young people who had past problems with drugs or alcohol.

Area planners last week voted narrowly - seven to six - to approve conversion of the long-vacant South Street building for Herefordshire Supported Housing Project for Young People.

The green light was given despite strong local opposition. Objectors included hoteliers, a solicitor, some traders and residents, and three of the town's four county councillors.

Fears were voiced on potential 'anti-social behaviour'. Young tenants would be left to cope in a 'volatile' area near popular youth venues, the objectors said.

They said the area was constantly troubled by groups of young people indulging in rowdy and drunken behaviour into the early hours.

The housing project would make matters worse, it was claimed. Robert Cresswell of the Talbot Hotel, and others, feared a negative impact on tourism.

The mayor hit back this week describing some of the criticism as "vastly unfair." The future young tenants were all being "tarred with the same brush" as potential troublemakers, she said.

Mrs Thomas, a former school doctor and friend of foster children, said: "It's right that these young people will be in the centre of town in a place like this, rather than being scattered around in bed-sits without support. It's far better they go into a place which is supervised and where they have someone they can turn to. These are our own Herefordshire children. They need caring and nurturing, not condemning without a shred of evidence against them."

The housing scheme will consist of eight units of accommodation including flats, bed-sits, three individual bedrooms with lounge and kitchen and an office for staff. The ground floor is likely to be used for local youth activities

Leominster Town Council supported the move to put new life into the run-down and disused county-owned building.