AN ex-Mafia gangster and former addict will be in Rossendale this weekend to tell youngsters about the dangers of dabbling in drugs.

Born-again Christian Fred Ferrari knows only too well the evils of drug and alcohol abuse and crime.

At 15 he left home in New York's Little Italy and became a member of a street gang which led him to the Mafia.

He was only 11 when he first shot someone and he cannot remember how many people he killed before he was imprisoned for life.

Mr Ferrari will tell audiences at Kay Street Baptist Church, Rawtenstall, and schools about his life and the changes he made after he found religion while serving his sentence.

He said: "In March 1978 I had a spiritual experience which changed my life. I reached the lowest point and got saved.

"I will talk to people about drug rehabilitation, about the drugs I have taken and how my life changed while in prison. "I never expected to get out of prison. I thought I was there for the rest of my life but they found a mistake in my murder case and I was freed on January 16, 1981. I was given a second chance.

"When I came out I started work to keep young people from going to prison by talking to them about the Lord Jesus Christ.

"I tell them that the person who gives them their first drug is not their friend."

On Saturday Mr Ferrari will be speaking at Kay Street Baptist Church from 7.30pm.

The event is ticket only and to book a place contact Edward Barnes on 01706 215264.

He will speak at both the 10.30am and 6.30pm services at the church on Sunday and also visit schools in Rossendale.

On November 4 he will be answering questions and talking at a young people's evening at Kay Street at 7.30pm.

He has had thousands of letters from young people all over Britain and America, thanking him for speaking to them and giving out advice.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.