Families of drug-users are to be offered much-needed help and support by a pioneering new service.

The Kirklees Family Drugs Service is the first of its kind in the country and aims to help the estimated 4-5,000 people in the district who are affected by having a dependent drug/alcohol-user in their midst.

Young people's manager for the Kirklees Drug Action Team, Will Formby, said the £210,000 needed to set up the three-year project had come from the government's Children's Fund.

Mr Formby said it was the first time an agency had taken a holistic approach to the problems of substance mis-use and the project was being carefully monitored.

The service is expected to be up and running this summer. Applications to join the team are currently being sought.