DRUG addicts are being offered free massages and beauty treatments at Blackburn’s new rehab centre.

Bosses at the new Evolve centre in the former Lewis Textile Museum said perks were needed to encourage alcoholics and drug-users to come inside and receive treatment.

But some critics said it was wrong taxpayers money was being spent on such ‘luxuries’ that would cost ordinary people upwards of £20.

As many as 40 new people a month will visit the publicly-funded centre each month.

They will have the options of manicures, massages and hairdressing in a fully-equipped beauty suite.

Staff have been specially-trained and Yoga and Tai Chi classes are available upstairs in a bid to teach visitors “life skills”.

The publicly-funded Evolve centre, which does not provide medical treatment such as methadone, was opened earlier this week.

It costs £400,000 a year to run and has about 13 members of staff.

It is paid for by the government through contributions from the Department for Work and Pensions, and the local drug and alcohol reduction team.

Jerry Sutton, chief executive of voluntary agency Inward House, which is running Evolve, said: “Getting people through that front door is a huge part of what we need to do.

“If nobody comes through the door it’s a waste of money.

"And part of the reason they do is because there is something attractive about this service.

“Of our 12 locations in the North West we’ve never had a bad relationship with the community.

“What’s incontestable is that these activities are helpful not just to the people using them, but for the community as a whole.

“It’s about helping people get things for themselves.”

Mr Sutton said similar techniques had been successful where they were offered elsewhere in the country.

Nigel Womak, who runs nearby Nigel’s Cutting Shop in King William Street, said: “I think it’s a great idea.

"Whatever incentive you need to help them get off drugs is a good idea.”

But Fleming Square-based hairdresser Jeff Stone, said it sent out the wrong message.

He said: “This does not encourage people to invest in Blackburn town centre.

"We are saying people can have their nails done for free as long as they are a drug addict.”

Mark Wallace, of the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said: “It is totally wrong that while taxpayers are cutting back their own luxuries, their money is being spent on massages for drug addicts.”

Labour leader Kate Hollern said: “My understanding was that they were trying to help people get off drugs but I’m not sure whether offering them massages is the answer.”

The decision by the previous Labour administration to close the textile museum in 2006 in a move to save £23,000 a year was widely condemned.

Evolve is using the council-owned building on a three-year lease.