A former heroin addict has spoken of how a north Wales drop-in centre, in line for expansion, helped him turn his life around.

Leslie Prince, 21, is homeless and regularly visits staff at the West Rhyl Young People's Project.

The charity has bought a new building

He said the �132,000 European grant given to the charity to double its accommodation size will ensure other needy youngsters receive advice.

Mr Prince said: "I think it would be difficult to get on with my life without this centre because the staff are here to help you.

"I come here every day and play on the computers and talk to staff to help me find housing - it's a great help.

"I am homeless through drugs, I'm staying with friends at the moment and the centre has put me in touch with people to find a home.

"I'm not on drugs anymore but I was addicted to heroin.

Services available

Drop-in centre Family planning clinic Sexual health awareness Internet access Advice on courses

"I started taking it when I was 17 but I got fed up with it and I've stopped," he said.

The drop-in centre has been running for 10 years and offers free advice to people aged between 16 and 25.

The extra money received by the charity through Objective One funding will be used to buy and redevelop new premises on Bedford Street in Rhyl town centre.

A lift will be put in for disabled access and there will be more room for the ongoing clinics including family planning and sexual health awareness.

Project leader Hannah Rowan said they have outgrown their current building, housed across the road.

Ms Rowan says youngsters need advice

"We do need more space....Rhyl has got a reputation of being the most deprived area in Wales.

"It has got its issues but it's also got quite a high population of young people in proportion to the rest of the county.

"There are a lot of young people here who live in flat lets and bed sits so there is an issue around poverty and isolation.

"We try and support these people and help them access help which they may not know that they are entitled to.

"One of the most popular services we offer is the young people's health clinic.

"I think young people feel that they get a service here which is more young people-friendly than their own GPs or other parts of the NHS.

"That is not to dismiss what they offer, but people coming here are not going to be confronted with their mum's auntie or neighbours in the waiting room," she said.

The centre has annual running costs of �70,000 and staff estimate the bill will double when they move to the new accommodation.