LANCASHIRE Probation Service is spearheading a pioneering scheme aimed at reducing the number of criminals who reoffend.

The Addressing Substance-Related Offending scheme will tackle offending linked to alcohol and drug misuse.

Offenders sentenced by the courts to community rehabilitation could be ordered to attend the scheme which consists of more than 50 hours of group sessions with other offenders and individually.

Those on the scheme will be forced to confront the reasons for their offending and if they fail to attend or comply they can be taken back to court.

Lancashire Probation Service has already won praise for a similar scheme -- Think First -- aimed at preventing persistent offenders from further crime.

The new scheme will come under the spotlight at the service's board meeting at St Mary's Chambers Conference Centre in Rawtenstall tonight . A spokesman for the service said: "Lancashire Probation Board will focus on how the service is delivering to the Home Office strategy. This scheme is based on evidence that such programmes cut reconviction rates."