DRUG and tobacco addicts in Bromsgrove will benefit from a new group -- the first of its kind in the country -- if plans to extend a resource centre in the town are given the go ahead.

The Multi-Agency Resource Centre, in Humphrey Avenue, has applied to Bromsgrove District Council to change the use of a former post office and greengrocer's shop.

The outlets are next to the existing Charford-based centre and are being leased from the authority.

If the scheme is passed the extra room would be used for computer training, mini-conferences and to house extra agencies including Families Against Tobacco and Addiction Dependency (FATAD).

Part of this service would include free complementary therapies including hypnotherapy, acupressure, visualisation and counselling to help addicts kick the habit.

Plans are also in the pipeline to extend FATAD to help rehabilitate offenders who are addicts.

The resource centre relies on fundraising and donations to covers its bills and a host of agencies from mums and toddlers groups to a town branch of Relate are based there.

Centre chairman Kevin McNamara said: "Complementary therapies to help addicts is very popular in other countries especially America and Holland.

"Unfortunately it is not so popular in England because of the controversy it causes with drug companies.

"We believe FATAD, with its complimentary therapies, is one of the first of its kind in the country.

"It's not just drug and alcohol addictions, it covers gambling and even computer addictions. The centre is getting so big we need the extra room."