THE official opening of a home from home for autistic teenagers has marked a new era for a Hampshire charity.

The £500,000 project by Hampshire Autistic Society to adapt the five-bedroom unit for 16 to 19-year-olds is the first of its kind.

There had been nowhere for pupils at the society's Hope Lodge School to continue their education.

But now five of the children leaving the school will get round-the-clock help and supervision on a one-to-one basis from staff at Fairhaven in Titchfield, near Fareham.

The home was opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Lawrie McMenemy and the Mayor and Mayoress of Fareham David and Jane Swanbrow. A second home, also for five school leavers, is being adapted at Bassett Avenue in Southampton.

Fairhaven features five single bedrooms, living accommodation, classrooms, a chill out room and staff facilities.

The house is in a semi-rural location with a large tranquil garden and backs onto a fishing lake.

Its first intake of students will move in in November.

Former Saints manager Mr McMenemy, who is also fundraising president for the Whiteley-based charity, said: "I think the young people who come and live in this sort of place will be very happy and very well looked after."

The society's head of support services Mike Walsh added: "We will be helping young people develop social skills and make them as independent as we can by the time they move.

"People will receive education on the site and will also access colleges to get them out into the community."