BLACKBURN with Darwen Council has hit back at claims the drug treatment services it provides are badly co-ordinated.

Father Jim McCartney, chief executive of the Blackburn-based charity THOMAS - Those on the Margins of Society - had criticised the way funding for its work with offenders in prison had been handled by the borough after it was revealed the funding had been stopped.

The decision means it will be almost impossible for the charity to continue its specialist re-settlement work with offenders in Preston and Lancaster prisons.

Mr McCartney has now contacted prisons minister Paul Goggins, who has promised to look into the matter.

But today Graham Burgess, executive director for regeneration at the council, said the funding had been stopped because THOMAS had failed to secure it.

He said: "Blackburn with Darwen Drug Action Team's commissioning strategies have been externally validated and approved by the Government Office North West and the National Treatment Agency.

"The Blackburn with Darwen Drug Action Team provided funding for a specific project for a time limited 12 month period, at the end of which, as the agreement clearly stated, if THOMAS wanted to continue this project it was their responsibility to secure continued funding.

"The THOMAS project continues to receive substantial funding from the Council for rehabilitation work, as do other organisations. Prison Link work is still being delivered by other organisations, however, a county wide service is to be commissioned and we would welcome the THOMAS project to tender for this contract."

But Fr McCartney defended his claims saying the council had given him the impression he would not have to re-apply for the money - around £26,000.

He said: "I don't want to fall out with the council because they have been very supportive in the past.

"However, the agreement we reached for funding over the course of the year was a renewal of funding we received over the previous two years, and I was led to believe this would be renewed for the coming year.

"I knew the contract was for one year only but I was never led to believe the funding for this prison work would be terminate.

"But when I approached the council around two months ago I was told the funding would not be there.

"I think the council were under the impression I should have applied earlier.

"In relation to the work that will continue in prisons it will not be a specialised service like the work that we are offering."

Despite the confusion Fr McCartney said he was confident the matter would be resolved.