A NATIONAL charity will target Southampton after a new report placed the city as a "hot spot" for young people in need.

The Prince's Trust has identified South-ampton as a priority area after the first major study into young people needing help.

The charity's report entitled Mapping Disadvantage: Young People who need help in England and Wales looked at the factors that limit the success of young people in later life.

These include benefit dependency, exclusion from school, being looked after by a local authority and being involved in crime.

Chrissie Valentine, regional director of the Prince's Trust in the South East, said: "Our research shows where there are young people facing real need in the south east.

"This will help The Prince's Trust and others change their lives for the better.

"This is crucial information. Youth deprivation often has a major effect on the whole neighbourhood; for example, through escalating crime levels. Pinpointing these 'hot spots' is the first step in helping to regenerate these communities."

She added: "The report has helped us to identify Southampton as one of our priority areas to target our work.

"The Prince's Trust already has an outreach worker in Southampton to encourage disadvantaged young people to take advantage of the opportunities we offer. For example, we have development awards for 14- to 25-year-olds to help them move into education, training or work. We also run a business start-up programme for those aged 18-30 who want to start their own business but are unemployed and unable to raise the finance they need.

"We are keen to hear from people in Southampton who would like to volunteer to assess applications from local young people for development awards, or to offer mentoring support to those setting up their own business with our support."