Young people taking the big step of moving from care into the outside are the focus of a summer appeal by a Norfolk-based charity.

Without mum and dad to help them sort out curtains, carpets or rent deposit the leap into independent living can be a big one.

Break charity, which runs care homes across the county, has a small team of support workers oiling the wheels of the tricky transition.

And its summer appeal is for funds to buy goods and expertise that will help the steady stream of young people making the exciting but scary journey into their new homes.

The plea says a �5 donation will buy a set of cutlery, �15 some saucepans, �50 curtains and bed linen, and �100 some support worker time to help a young person in crisis.

Senior transition worker Claire Tuthill said: 'These young people are used to having someone there 24:7. When they move out of a home they get a �1000 grant which can help buy things like cookers and fridges, but there are also carpets, beds, curtains and poles - and someone to put them up if the family is not around to help.'

The team and funding 'makes a huge difference to them' she added.

They had helped a 19-year-old whose father died in the week she was due to move from care in a flat, by decorating it for her.

'Without us she would have had bare walls and floors instead of a home ready to move into,' said Mrs Tuthill.

They had also helped find people apprenticeships and jobs. One young man helped into a course at the Italia Conti drama college in London was bought an MRI scan to help him get treatment and stay on the course.

Information about the appeal and ways to donate can be found through Sheringham-based Break's website www.break-charity.org