A FLORIST has called for better facilities for drug addicts after they started ditching hypodermic needles at the back of her premises.

Kathleen Reece, of Hodkinsons Florist in Duckworth Street, Darwen, said she sweeps up used needles from the lane at the back of her shop on a weekly basis.

Darwen addicts are using the back lane for their drug-taking activities and Kathleen is calling for facilities for them.

The nearest facility for addicts is in Blackburn at the multi-agency drugs support unit at the Jarman Centre, in James Street.

There are also 23 pharmacists throughout East Lancashire where needles can be exchanged, but none in Darwen.

There are plans for a needles exchange to be included in Darwen's proposed £11million health centre, which still needs financial backers and planning permission to become a reality.

Mrs Reece said: "I regularly sweep up needles in the back lane, which is becoming a haven for drug-users and people generally hanging around.

"It would be a lot better if there was somewhere for them to go, or at least a needle bank where they could exchange their needles.

"It's no good getting mad. These people need help and if they had a place of their own, they wouldn't need to hang around back streets.

"I have had the shop for thirty years and the situation has recently been getting out of hand."

Mrs Reece's husband and co-owner of the florist, David, said: "My worry is that Darwen is going downhill. It used to be a great town.

"There is not enough being done for the drug addicts. Drugs is a big, big issue and we need to face up to it.

"They need help. We don't want to keep picking up needles, disposing of them ourselves."

A spokesman for the Jarman Centre said: "We get clients who travel from Darwen to this service in Blackburn. If they will travel that distance, there is a need."