A NEW project in Westhoughton aims to forge links with troubled youths in danger of falling victim to addiction.

WASTED stands for Westhoughton's Alcohol, Substance, Tobacco, Education and Development Project, and has been started thanks to National Lottery funding.

The project has received Lottery support for three years and in that time intends to make contact and forge positive relationships with disaffected young people, as well as teenagers at risk, or already using, drugs, alcohol, solvents and tobacco.

Contact will also be made with young people who are socially excluded or have anti-social behaviour.

Project Officer, Tracy Robinson, said: "The programme came about through the Westhoughton Youth Drop In Centre, where we are based.

"We have been consulting with young people. It is difficult for many of them to get into programmes in Bolton town centre, so the idea was to get something started here.

"The idea is to help people suffering from addiction, or those excluded socially for whatever reason.

"Teams of detached workers will take to the streets three evenings a week to approach youths and get them on board.

"We will also be working closely with the police.

"There will be a programme of events run every two months and a drug education officer will also talk to young groups, parents and schools educating people on the dangers of drugs."

Introductory launch sessions will be held on Thursday and Friday, November 2 and 3, at the John Holt Youth Centre, Birch Avenue, Westhoughton, and Daisy Hill Community Centre, Hindley Road, Westhoughton, respectively.

The sessions will give people a chance to have an input and run from 1pm to 3pm. In addition, at John Holt, 6pm to 8pm, and Daisy Hill, 6pm to 9pm, there will be a variety of activities, including arts and crafts, on offer.

However, before then, three workshops will be held, centring around graffiti and drugs awareness.

The events will be led by a professional graffiti artist, called Andy, who is from Westhoughton.

Tracy said: "Andy goes up and down the country with his art and has designed our logos. He will be leading the workshops."

They are at: John Holt Youth Centre, Birch Avenue, Westhoughton, on Tuesday, October 24, 1.30pm to 4pm; Central Drive Youth Centre, Central Drive, Westhoughton, on Thursday, October 26, 1.30pm to 4pm; and Daisy Hill Community Centre, Hindley Road, Westhoughton, on Friday, October 27, 1.30pm to 4pm. The cost for the workshops is 25 pence.

Further information about WASTED is from Tracy on 01942 819321.