Author's former villa to house young homeless

The former home of a famous author is being transformed to support young people in need.

Erdely Villa, in Middlesbrough, belonged to novelist Ernest Hornung, who created popular fictional character AJ Raffles the gentleman thief in 1899.

Hornung, who was married to the sister of fellow author and Sherlock Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, was born in the house in Marton Road in 1866.

Middlesbrough Council said it was being transformed into 12 self-contained flats and staff accommodation for "struggling" young, homeless people.

Between 1924 and 1979, the building was used as a convent of the Holy Rood, gaining a reputation as a haunted house.

From 1979, the building was used as temporary accommodation.

It will become the home of 16- to 24-year-olds facing "serious challenges", the council said.

The building, which has been empty for seven years, will be Ofsted-registered for those who are 16 and 17 and in need or care leavers.

The project is a partnership between housing association Home Group and the council.

Katherine Hernandez, Home Group's director of operations, said: "The building certainly has a rich history and we're delighted to be creating a new chapter in its life.

"Our work at Erdely Villa is designed to support young people in developing independent living skills over a period of one to two years to assist their move on to independent housing."

Hornung's Raffles and his sidekick Harry "Bunny" Manders were a comic parallel of Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson.

Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said: "It's great to see a building with such a varied and fascinating history take on a new and vitally important role in the life of our town."

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