A needle exchange is among the plans for the town centre

It means the Mayor and councillors of Middlesbrough will share the building with around 800 drug users every week.

Council chiefs tried to find a venue for the exchange in the town, but this was met with protests from local people who did not want it near their homes.

Councillor Ken Walker said he thought the exchange would create an "image problem" for the town.

The exchange, which is due to open next month, will be run by an organisation called LifeLine Middlesbrough.

The aim is to reduce the chances of children finding hypodermic needles in streets and helping to stop the spread of HIV and hepatitis.

'Stereotypical image'

Councillor Brenda Thompson is in charge of health and social care at Middlesbrough Council. She said: "I think we are showing a responsible attitude and protecting the public with the setting up of the exchange.

"This is community leadership - setting an example. This is a real public health issue and we will not bury our heads in the sand.

"We want to help people beat their addiction. Middlesbrough has a very good track record of identifying and helping people deal with their drug abuse."

Dr John Titmuss, of the Fulcrum Medical Centre in the town, treats people with drug problems. He is in favour of the exchange.

He said: "It is not just the so-called 'smack heads' or people with heroin problems who use facilities. Steroid users also use needles - people who do not fit the stereotypical image.

"A lot of the people you see here, you would not even know they were on drugs because they have been successfully rehabilitated."