Two young men have absconded from a north Devon rehabilitation centre.

The men walked out of the Centre for Adolescent Rehabilitation (C-Far) in the village of Highampton on Sunday night.

The police and the Probation Service have been informed.

The centre has told nearby villagers there is no risk to residents and the men may return to the centre.

Centre courses

The centre runs intensive 11-week personal rehabilitation courses which aim to re-integrate its trainees into society.

It is not a secure site, and trainees can give up and walk out.

This is not the first time a young offender has walked out of the rehabilitation camp.

Last summer, a trainee absconded and was eventually found by police.

Re-offending rate

The two men who left last night had both had community orders imposed on them, so the police and Probation Service had to be informed.

C-Far says over the past two years it has halved the re-offending rate of its trainees.

The national rate stands at 75%. The rate for C-Far's graduates is just over 30%.