A RECOVERED heroin addict has told his story of transformation after joining a church community and "finding God".

Sean Kelly was born in Belfast, the eldest of three, but moved to Bolton in 1980 following his parents' divorce when he was just five.

Sean, aged 42, was taken into care by social services at the age of 12 and suffered physical and sexual abuse.

The dad-of-five said: "Things were pretty rough at home. We did not have much. I was drinking, smoking and taking cannabis."

As a teenager, Sean lived at Moss Nook, Darcy Lever — an assessment centre for children — and later at Braxmere House.

He was moved to a foster home on Oldhams estate in Sharples, and lived with Carole Adams who he calls his "second mum".

At 18, when home became a one-bed flat in the town centre, Sean started taking heroin.

He said: "I didn't last long at all. I have been in the game for 23 years.

"I instantly knew it was not right and tried to sort it out. I have been in treatment too many times to mention."

Sean met his now wife, Kelly, in 2011. The couple, who now live in Astley Bridge, were married in 2013.

He said: "My heroin use did not get any better until February, 2016.

The dad-of-five was taken to Oldhams Church by his children who wanted to attend the kids' clubs with their school friends.

He said: "I had been to a couple of Christmas services and found it a really friendly place to be. It was family.

"At church, I found myself praying for the man who abused me. My life has changed immeasurably.

"I have been clean since February last year. I know all the trips and triggers. I know it all and the only thing that is different this time to the 15 times before is Jesus."

The church, based in Oldhams estate, was launched in February 2016 by Church of England planter Rev Ben Woodfield.

Sean is now one of the key leaders in the church's 12-Step Recovery Programme, a course that is run all year round.

The course is accessible to people of all ages and faiths, and relevant to drug users, alcoholics, substance abusers and more.

Kelly, aged 31, said: "Around one year ago, Sean really wanted to get help. He is a better father and a better husband now that he is clean.

"I'm really really proud of him."

Church pastor Ben Woodfield, aged 36, has worked on estates for just under 20 years.

Ben, who leads the 12-Step programme described the course as a "community of people helping each other".

He said: "I have walked closely with Sean over these past 12 months. This sort of thing does not happen very often.

"The time of recovery is often years long but Sean has taken the bull by the horns and said he has had enough.

"Part of that journey for him was joining the church and finding God. He is a different person.

"The life had been sucked out of him but now there is a brightness. He is smiling."