Homeless people in Oxford have said they are thrilled with a new £230,000 centre to help them get their lives back on track.

The Porch Steppin' Stone Centre in Magdalen Road, Oxford, opened its doors yesterday and already people are becoming members after their first visit.

Wendi Mackay with volunteer Rita Browne The new centre, set up by the All Saints Society of Sisters of the Poor, replaces the smaller Porch homeless drop-in facility, which was based in St Mary's Road.

It has a canteen providing cheap meals, showers, washing and laundry facilities, a clothes store and more.

Next month computer training and complementary medicine, including acupuncture treatment, will become available to users.

Literacy, numeracy and computer skills will also be taught.

The £200,000-a-year project is being funded by a range of agencies, including Oxford City Council and the Government's Single Regeneration Budget.

Project director Lisa Brophy said the ethos behind the spacious new centre is to encourage people who have had difficult lives to stand on their own feet again.

Anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be admitted. The centre's users will not be charged for becoming members but will pay a small fee for meals and to use laundry facilities.

Ms Brophy said: "The new place is dry and drug free. We want to get people moving on with their lives.

"It's about giving people training and building their confidence.

"We want users to end up running the centre themselves."

The centre can cater for 40 people at a time. About 90 are expected to visit each day.

Picture: Ed Nix