A BLACKPOOL charity is getting down to work to raise £150,000 for a new workers' co-operative for ex-drug addicts or alcoholics.

Helping Hand, formed by Fylde churches of all denominations, was delighted when Blackpool planners last week gave the go-ahead for its scheme to convert the former Ismail tea warehouse in Cocker Street to a workshop.

The aim is for reformed addicts - who must have been "clean" for at least a year - to get back on their feet by learning a trade like decorating, joinery, carpet-laying, gardening or catering equipment repairs.

Helping Hand chairman, the Rev Ian McLean, said: "We were very pleased to receive the planners' support. We want to assure the community around Cocker Street that it's not going to be a place for drug addicts to exchange needles or a detox centre or anything like that - it's going to be a proper workshop run by a workers' co-operative.

"We already have a shining example in one of our workers, a former heroin addict who went so low he served a prison sentence. He's now been free of drugs for seven years, he's married and settled with a family and it was his idea to set up our mobile unit.

"It's lovely to see a man who's come through something like that, working as a valued member of society - if he can do it, others can too."

The Fylde Coast, said Mr McLean, had a big drugs problem, typical of a large seaside town. "We can either choose to ignore it or we can try to make a small contribution to helping out."

Now Helping Hand is presenting its business plan to a range of grant-making organisations to try to achieve the £150,000 it needs to convert the historic building - where the first Jaguar Swallow motor bike was made - into a high standard workshop.

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