A TELEVISION psychologist has opened an improved child and adolescent unit - and described how there are parallels between those who use it and the problems currently facing Jade Goody.

Dr Tanya Byron, who has appeared on Little Angels and House Of Tiny Tearaways, yesterday officially opened the upgraded unit at Lime Trees, in Shipton Road, York.

The NHS centre provides residential care for up to 11 young people suffering psychiatric, psychological or emotional problems and is currently full and has a waiting list for places.

Dr Byron said: "I was thinking about Jade Goody and about how her behaviour represents her vulnerability.

"I have been reading a lot about her in the press and reading about her early life and how her history is so like early histories of kids we've worked with.

"As a society, I think we need to support people like Jade Goody and the younger versions of herself - people who are barely parented and people who have psychologically-based issues because of very difficult early lives.

"In the society we live in we have the ASBO culture and are told to hug a hoodie, but it's more than that. These young people require the time and space and containment so they can understand what is happening inside them and can challenge their behaviour."

The upgrading of the centre has cost £500,000 and has been paid for by money direct from the Government.

It aims to provide a supportive, therapeutic environment in which young people and their families are closely involved in treatment programmes. The unit also has a school, which has two classrooms, internet access, current textbooks and facilities to enable students to pursue their own research for school topics.

Consultant clinical psychologist Geraldine Casswell said the new unit also has disabled access, single occupancy rooms, a family room and a refurbished dining room.

She said research showed early intervention by health professionals with people with mental issues had a very positive effect and every £1 spent early on saves £27 in later years.

She said: "There are not many beds for adolescents in units like this in North Yorkshire, so we are really delighted to have this provision for 11 young people with complex mental health problems."