Brighton and Hove was today labelled the women's heroin death capital of England and Wales.

The city ranks worse than London, Manchester and Liverpool in new Government figures.

Amy Pickard's tale is just one illustration of the deadly drug's impact on women's lives.

Last year seven women lost their lives to heroin in Brighton and Hove. The total number of heroin-related deaths in the city was 34.

So far this year 21 people have died from overdoses, giving the city the highest mortality rate per head of population of anywhere in Britain.

Nationally, the number of deaths from heroin and morphine misuse has risen four-fold from 187 in 1993 to 754 in 1999.

Dr Hugh Williams, consultant psychiatrist for the Substance Misuse Service in Brighton and Hove, said: "The ratio of male to females has been changing over recent years in many areas, from teenage smoking to alcohol abuse.

"The gap has been closing in many situations. Depression is said to be more common in women, which may also be a factor."

He said a study carried out within the city revealed the majority of deaths were among the homeless population and alcohol was often found to be a contributing factor.

He said the city was providing addicts with first aid training so they know what to do if a friend takes an overdose.

British experts are also looking overseas where users are given syringes containing a life-saving antidote to overdoses.