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The Advance Programme for women is intended to help women make a choice not to drink for the sake of their health and a better life.

Programme organisers stress the programme is not a moral crusade but is intended to help women find the inner strength and self confidence to improve their lives without using alcohol as a crutch.

Advance meetings are not about guilt and remorse but concentrate on supporting women's needs in moving forward once they make the choice to stop drinking.

Hour-long meetings are held at the Frank Cohen Centre on Moston Lane on Friday evenings from 7pm when women are given the chance to focus on their own needs.

Those using the programme are encouraged to attend meeting for as long as they feel the need but the aim is for them to move on as they regain their own self esteem.

A programme official said: "The Advance Programme aims to bring attitudes towards alcohol recovery into the present day. The concern is for women who are the ones who have to deal with the problem.

"Its aim is to remove the stigma of recovery and replace it with a sense of pride in what is not an easy achievement."

Further details are available from Advance at the Frank Cohen Centre, 223 Moston Lane, Moston enclosing an sae or by phone on 205 7508.