The parents of a Bradford teenager who died a year ago today after sniffing gas lighter fuel are setting up a counselling service for bereaved families in her memory.

Chantelle Bleau, of Little Horton, was 16 when she died after inhaling the fuel from a refill canister at a friend's home.

Her parents Pat and Richard Bleau, who are members of the Abundant Life Church, will have an office at the church's new premises in Bradford city centre where they can run the advice service.

"The support group for bereaved parents is something that I have really wanted to do for months," said Mrs Bleau. "I've spoken to a lot of parents who have lost a child and they are not coping even years later.

"It's hard to let go of your child but helping other people gives me some comfort.

"I'm hoping to start the counselling in the New Year."

The family, together with staff at the Abundant Life Church, set up the Chantelle Bleau Memorial Fund to highlight the dangers of sniffing gas to schoolchildren.

They have just run a competition to design a brochure about solvent abuse and it will be distributed to 14,000 teenage pupils in the Bradford area.

They have also campaigned to change the law to stop shopkeepers from selling gas lighter fuel to under-16s.

Home Office Minister Mike O'Brien pledged to tighten up laws on the sale of gas lighter fuel after a debate called by Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe.

"We can look back on the past year and say it's been the worst of our lives but we're trying to make something positive out of it," said Mrs Bleau.

"We want the Government to accept that butane gas is a dangerous drug like heroin or ecstasy - it's even more dangerous because it's 80p in the shops.

"Chantelle knew about drugs and had the lead role in an anti-drugs play but she never saw the gas as a drug.

"Her friends said it just gave them a buzz and made them laugh.

"We don't blame Chantelle for what she did but she didn't realise it could kill her.''

Anyone who wants information about the counselling service should telephone Bradford 307233.

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