DORSET Charity of the year ReRun, the Dorset Runaways Service, on 20 January hosted a lunch for visiting civil servants from the Department of Children, Schools and Families.

The Sturminster Newton-based charity, which was voted the county's top charity in the Dorset Business Awards in November, had earlier in the year launched its Young Runaways Action Plan with Minister Ed Balls at Downing Street.

It has since been working with the Government department on new national guidelines for young runaways.

Founder and service director Sarah Dummer Wade said: "It has been such an exciting year for us. Sharing the knowledge and experiences of what we know about runaways in Dorset with the policy makers in Westminster has been a rewarding experience.

"We are really pleased that Vicky Dare and Lucy Allen came down to find out more."

Around 1,200 young people run away and stay away overnight each year in Dorset alone, and one in nine young people will run away before they are 16.

ReRun provides youth outreach workers and support workers for families coping with a young person who is regularly away from home.

FURTHER information is available by calling 07958 475075.