THE UK's newly appointed Drugs Czar has been invited to attend a conference aimed at raising awareness among young people in East Lancs.

Organisers hope Keith Hellawell will join a host of celebrities, experts and entertainers at King George's Hall, Blackburn, for the East Lancashire Drugs Awareness Day on November 25.

The latest person confirmed to attend the event is George Haworth MP, the Home Office Minister with responsibility for drugs.

Police have joined forces with numerous other professional groups for the event.

Also on the bill will be Scooby, Garth Prison's award winning drug sniffer dog, and there will be a chance to try out the new Health Education Authority interactive CD ROM game, D-Code.

Mr Hellawell, Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police, will take up his position as the UK's Anti-drugs Co-ordinator in January.

His role will be to act as an expert advisor to the Prime Minister.

Event organiser Sergeant Andy Pratt said: "We have written to Keith Hellawell and a number of other people."

A spokesman for the cabinet office said numerous requests had already been received for Mr Hellawell to attend similar events.

She added: "This will be considered in exactly the same way."

Organisations who want to take exhibit or take part in the awareness day can contact Inspector Bob Ford on 01254 353503.

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