A grant of £488,697 is being given to a Bristol drug and alcohol recovery service.

The cash boost is coming from the Big Lottery Fund to help local charity Serenity House put more people in the city through their recovery programme.

The charity says 1,500 extra people in the city will receive treatment as a result of the grant.

Sally Walker-Cousins, Chair of Serenity House, said:  "Our passion is to provide easily accessible treatment to any person suffering from alcohol and drug addiction who has a desire to get well, to reclaim their lives and rejoin the community.

"In the past, our previous funding only enabled us to help the fortunate few who could attend our unique programme.  But this incredible Big Lottery Fund grant will enable us to reach over 1,500 people who otherwise would not benefit from this life changing opportunity.

"Our unique programme is proven to be highly successful in treating addiction, and setting up our new delivery centres across the region will complement existing work being done in the field.  I have no doubt whatsoever that the award of this grant will enable us not only to change lives, but to save lives as well."

The five year grant will enable the group to continue to offer their Recovery Dynamics programme, a comprehensive treatment and training programme for people addicted to alcohol and other drugs.

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