One of the region's oldest counselling services is appealing for volunteers to help take it forward.

Anne Christie is chairwoman of the Albert Centre service, in Middlesbrough, which works with people suffering from alcohol and drug addiction.

She said volunteer board members from the business and voluntary sectors could make a difference.

She said: "The centre undertakes vital work in the community, providing help and support to men and women who want to change the direction of their lives.

"Those who sit on our management executive are in a position to shape policies in order to help people who want to be helped and who are referred to us, in the main, by GPs and social workers."

Counsellors with the Middlesbrough charity each year see about 250 people who want to escape alcohol and drug dependency.

The service is about to expand and consider new projects, following Prime Minister Tony Blair's call for a national strategy to deal with addiction.

Mrs Christie said: "There are real challenges ahead for organisations like the Albert Centre, which has worked tirelessly since the late seventies to make a difference."

Volunteers have been asked to contact organisers at the Albert Centre on (01642) 221484.