NEARLY 150 people died and more than 1,000 people across Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale were the victims of violent crime last year - all because of booze.

Now Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust is joining forces with Pennine Police in an attempt to beat the problems associated with alcohol abuse.

The life-saving initiative will see numerous organisations including Social Services, Lancashire Care Trust and the Youth Offenders Team combine to raise awareness, slash alcohol related anti-social behaviour and improve the health of the 250,000 residents in the three boroughs.

The PCT believes the campaign is vital to save and improve lives because the area is a 'hot-spot' for alcohol abuse.

However, Dr Ellis Friedman, public health director for the PCT said there were major implications concerning finance and staffing. He added it was not yet known how much it would cost to deliver.

But in September the Lancashire Evening Telegraph exclusively revealed how alcohol action workers claimed they were watching people die because of a lack of funding.

Staff said they only had seven full-time members to cope with drinking in Lancashire - which has the highest rates of alcohol abuse in the country.

Dr Friedman added: "Much vital work is there to be done by all the organisations involved to beat the effects of over indulgence of alcohol."

Dr Friedman said an executive of about 10 members would be formed to monitor and implement the drive which will concentrate on enforcement, education and treatment.

He said the PCT was encouraging education in schools, and needed to develop services such as detoxification and counselling.

Police Inspector Andy Moore, who will work more closely with the PCT, said: "The aim is to encourage people to drink sensibly, to protect individuals and communities from anti-social behaviour and to provide services that enable people to overcome their alcohol misuse problems."