A service which aims to help addicts kick their alcohol and drug problems has celebrated its 21st anniversary.

Brighton Housing Trust started the city's first dedicated alcohol and drug addiction service when it opened a "dry house" in Kemp Town in 1982.

The operation now includes a specialist detox support unit, purpose-built rehabilitation centre for 30 men and women and housing and support services.

Acting chief exec-utive Andy Winter said 50 men and women were helped to recover from drink and drug addiction each year.

He said: "In a city with the highest drug- related death rate in the country, these services give a clear message recovery from addiction is possible.

"Brighton Housing Trust is proud of this service and all that it has achieved.

"It is a good example of a service that makes a difference to peoples' lives and a significant contribution to the city as a whole."

Brighton and Hove City Council chief executive David Panter cut a special anniversary cake along with trust staff and people who have been helped by the service.

Among them was Annie, who had been living rough and in night shelters before coming into contact with one of the trust's outreach workers.

Within a week she was in the detox support unit.

She has now been clean for two years and is the mother of a young boy.

She said: "Drugs had taken over life. I had lost everything - my family, my friends, everything.

"I had no place to turn.

"The trust gave me the space and motivation I needed.

"They had faith in my ability to do something about my addiction.

"The ongoing support I have received has been vital.

"I don't look back. I live a fulfilling life, free of alcohol and drugs, with my beautiful baby boy."

The trust received a mixed report from the Housing Corporation recently.

Services for people with drink, drug and mental health problems were praised.

But the regulator put the trust into what is known as supervision because of management problems identified in some other parts of the its operations.