WORK to help people recover from drug and alcohol addiction is being expanded across Bolton.

More than £40 million has been secured to provide community recovery services across Bolton as well as Salford and Trafford.

The contract for the next five years is the first in which different local authorities have come together to find one provider for all three districts.

Money is to be invested into finding new premises for delivering services in Bolton and creating community groups and small social enterprises to support recovery close to home.

The money has been secured by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH).

Bolton Council deputy leader Linda Thomas said: "Together with Salford and Trafford authorities, we welcome this opportunity to work collaboratively with GMMH to deliver drug and alcohol services across the three boroughs.

"GMMH already has a track record of providing effective services and aims to improve public health and community safety through the early detection and treatment of drug and alcohol misuse.

"They will be working with a range of innovative partners to provide a diverse range of options aimed at helping those people who are living with drug and alcohol issues and to support them in their recovery. We look forward to working with all agencies involved in this new contract."

To help deliver services across a population of 760,000, GMMH will be working with subcontractors including The Big Life Group, Great Places, THOMAS (Those on the margins of society), Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Early Break and Intuitive Thinking Skills.

Experts in their field, it is hoped the partnership will ensure people are actively supported throughout their recovery journey and will also tackle the underlying causes of substance misuse

GMMH, which provides mental health services in Bolton, already runs drug and alcohol support services in Salford and some in Trafford. The new contract will retain those services, as well as extending its reach in Trafford and across Bolton.

Kate Hall, service manager for Substance Misuse Services said the transition would not result in any disruption to current services.

She added : "We have a proven track record of running successful recovery services throughout the North West and for building strong links within local businesses and voluntary organisations in the areas we provide services.

"We are looking forward to working closely with service users, staff and volunteers from many agencies in delivering and developing the best possible services for the communities of Bolton, Salford and Trafford.

"Our focus at GMMH remains on providing a range of services that have the recovery of the individual, their family and community at the centre of what we do."