Tony Blair has responded to reports of drug problems in northern Nottinghamshire, claiming the government is commitment to help heroin-stricken coalfield communities.

Mr Mann chaired hearings in September

At Prime Minister's question time on Wednesday, Mr Blair said there should be proper drug treatment available, court orders in place and that dealers' assets should be seized.

He said the government had committed almost �500m in funding to help regenerate coalfield areas.

"We are firmly committed to regeneration in coalfield communities through education and job creation.

"We've already made substantial provision to support this commitment - �385m for the English Partnerships national coalfields programme, over �90m funding available to the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and �10m for the Coalfield Enterprise Fund.

"I hope this is an indication of how we desire to make the investment necessary to raise aspirations in coalfield communities."

'In tears'

Mr Blair was responding to a question from Bassetlaw MP John Mann, who published a report into coalfield communities and the impact of heroin upon them at the weekend.

Mr Mann's inquiry found that heroin directly affected one in three people living in north Nottinghamshire.

He said: "At the public inquiry into heroin that I conducted recently, former miners were in tears when they told about how their sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters, were being destroyed by heroin addiction."

Mr Mann called on the Prime Minister to consider the report's suggestions.

"If drugs courts are to be introduced will you note that my community wants to be one of the first to have them," he said.

Mr Blair said he would study the report carefully before coming back to him.