TRAILBLAZING hostels in Weymouth and Bridport may be closed when Magna Housing Association axes special services for single people.

The foyers, which provide accommodation and training facilities, face an uncertain future when the Dorchester-based landlord ends its supported housing services.

Magna took the decision to stop providing the supported housing for single people after a business review, but stressed that services will still be on offer for the elderly, people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and mental illnesses.

Some of the single people in supported housing are young, recently out of care, tackling drug or alcohol problems or have been dealt with by social services or the probation services.

Now Magna is talking with councils and the Supporting People housing support agency at County Hall in Dorchester about its withdrawal, which will be in at least a year's time.

Councillor Michael Goodman, briefholder for housing and social inclusion at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, said: "We are aware of the situation.

"We are obviously disappointed that that any service is going to be reduced or withdrawn.

"Now we are looking at ways to deal with the problem."

The Bridport foyer, in West Allington, was the first of its kind in the South West when it opened in 1996 and has 16 rooms as well as a computer suite and training facilities.

The Weymouth foyer, in Pottery Lane, opened in November 1999 and has 20 single bedrooms as well as conference and caf facilities. Their beds are among the 289 supported places Magna provides for single people in Weymouth, Dorchester, Bridport and Devon. Support includes training, advice and help with paperwork as well as providing links to employment schemes, social services, drugs and alcohol agencies. Magna could not say how many people the withdrawal will affect, but stressed that some of the 289 places would remain for such people as those with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and mental illnesses.

Magna has sent letters to residents in supported housing stressing that they will not be made homeless and that they will continue to receive support services.

New talks will focus on the transfer of properties and services to other agencies or associations as there is an obligation for this help to be provided.

Options for the foyers could stretch from them being rented out to organisations taking over the support services to them being sold for re-development.

Julie-Ann Foster, interim head of housing services, said: "We are likely to be managing all of these services for at least another year. We have formed project groups with Supporting People and the relevant local authorities in Dorset and Devon to work together in developing plans for the future."

* Magna will continue to provide accommodation for single people who don't need support services in the normal way.