The father of tragic star Amy Winehouse plans to send drug counsellors to schools in Brighton and Hove.

Mitch Winehouse said young people in the city, one of the worst in the UK for drug deaths, needed to be “educated and engaged” about the dangers of addiction.

He made the announcement after accepting a £3,000 cheque from the Brighton Institute of Modern Music to the Amy Winehouse Foundation.

The charity was set up in memory of the pop star who died in July last year from alcohol poisoning after a long battle with drink and drugs.

Mr Winehouse said: “The fact is kids don't want to be told they shouldn't be taking these drugs.

“They just need to be edu cated about the dangers so they are empowered to make their own decision.

“We’re aiming to have our representatives in Brighton and Hove schools within six months and hopefully other schools in Sussex too.

“We love it down here and we need all the help we can get.”

Mr Winehouse also voiced his support for the Angelus Foundation, started after University of Sussex medical student Hester Stewart died after she took the then unclassified drug GBL in April 2009.

Led by Hester's mother Maryon, the campaign is pushing Westminster to promote better awareness of drugs in schools.