A SELF-HELP group supporting relatives of drug addicts has wound up because of declining membership - despite the town's escalating heroin problem.

Families Anonymous was set up eight years ago and organisers ran weekly sessions from Sudellside Community Centre.

Geoff Schofield, who helped run the service, said: "I'm absolutely amazed such a positive thing has come to an end. There is a similar service in Blackburn but there are people in Darwen who need it.

"I've been there two years and have seen the good that is done for people. There were some real success stories and now we've lost it and it's a great shame."

At the group's height, meetings were attended by 15 people but numbers fell to just three in the last few weeks. The group was run through members' donations.

Geoff added: "It's disheartening to see that people don't use the service because there are hundreds of families who could benefit."

Another organiser, who wished to remain anonymous, said there was a stigma attached to attending the meetings.

She said: "The majority of people came from outside Darwen. I think people just don't want to be seen going into places like this. It's difficult for people to come out and talk about problems associated with drug use."

In the last 12 months, 78 arrests were made in Darwen for drug possession or intent to supply. In 2001-02 the figure was just 28.

Darwen MP Janet Anderson said: "It is a great shame Families Anonymous has come to an end. I would urge the organisers to contact me so we can discuss how to keep the group running."