Teenagers are being offered advice on how to avoid becoming one of the 16,000 people in Scotland who end up homeless each year.

The Scottish Council for Single Homeless (SCSH) has issued a new guide for youngsters advising them on issues such as budgeting and tenancy rights.

About 60,000 teenagers in Scotland leave school every year and many of them leave home at the same time.

The guide, which was launched on Monday by Scotland's Social Justice Minister, Margaret Curran, aims to answer questions about moving out of the family home.

Margaret Curran said the guide is an excellent resource

A number of young people have taken part in creating the new "Streets Ahead" guide, which was produced in partnership with the Scottish Youth Housing Network.

A spokesman for SCSH said the transition to independent living is a difficult one for youngsters.

He said: "About 16,000 end up registering with local councils as officially homeless before they are 25, and many more live a nomadic existence, sleeping on friends' floors."

'Good example'

The guide has been produced in a CD format in the hope that it will be more appealing to youngsters.

Ms Curran said: "Streets Ahead is an excellent resource for local authorities to provide advice and assistance to young people leaving home.

"It is practical, useful and informative and is a good example of the contribution voluntary organisations can make in support of local authorities delivering advice and assistance to young homeless people, and those at risk of becoming homeless."

The minister launched the guide at Braidhurst High School in Motherwell on Monday.