A NEW addiction recovery service has been launched on the Isle of Wight.

Sessions are free and take place in Ryde during the evenings.

There are no referrals needed or any formalities other than registration, making it easy for people in need of help, to access it.

Ryde mayor, Cllr Michael Lilley, launched the workshops.

Chris Story, from The Foyer, offered to collaborate by encouraging Foyer residents to go along.

A spokesperson for the service said: "We had people attending who after a few short weeks had already made significant changes to their lives, giving up alcohol, smoking, sugar, and dealing with severe anxiety.

"More than 600 Islanders have opiate addiction, with services continuously being cut, so this is a welcome and much needed support."

The workshops are funded through The Rob Hill Foundation, a charity Chris Hill set up in memory of his twin Rob, who died of a drug overdose in 2014.

The workshops are on every Thursday evening from 7.30pm to 9pm, at Aspire. Anyone wanting further information can contact Sara Coombes on 07792 864809.