THE parents of a heroin addict are to spend more than £1,000 in a bid to help him kick his habit, following the failure of an earlier six-month rehabilitation course.

Promising student Ben Thompson has been under the spell of heroin since studying for his A-levels.

But his mother Lynne said the family was determined to help him beat the addiction by sending him on another course.

"It will cost around £200 per week and last for about six weeks," said Mrs Thompson, of Lobelia Close, St Peter's.

"We just hope he has the willpower and strength to overcome his addiction."

Ben's parents are hopeful he will soon be able to attend a scheme in Wiltshire, but he needs to show those running it that he is fighting his addiction.

"At the moment his heroin addiction is down to around £10 worth a day, but we need to get him on methadone before he is accepted," said Mrs Thompson.

Last year, the 21-year-old's plight was highlighted when the family admitted they were paying up to £300 a week to feed his habit to prevent him from committing crime.

Mrs Thompson said many people thought they were foolish supporting their son, but this had not deterred them.

"At times it's very difficult and I can understand why people think we shouldn't bother, but we're going to continue helping him as long as we can," she said.

Until March this year he had spent almost six months rehabilitating at a clinic near Liverpool, but shortly after returning to Worcester was targeted by gangs who lured him back on heroin.

Earlier this month he was in trouble with the law again, receiving a conditional discharge after stealing a CD case.