RECOVERING drug addicts and people with mental illness are to be offered bongo and drum lessons on prescription.

The lessons are among a host of creative sessions doctors in Darlington are able to prescribe to boost patient's self-esteem, pre-empt health problems and help people recover.

It is believed to be the first time that percussion lessons have been offered by doctors' surgeries in the North-East and possibly in the country.

The drumming lessons will take place at The Forum, in Darlington, and will be run by The Northern School of Contemporary Music.

People will be referred by their GPs, the drug rehabilitation team and other health workers and they will take part in the sessions twice a week for 12 weeks.

They will cost participants £1.50 each and the rest will be subsidised by Darlington Borough Council. Up to 15 patients will take part in each class.

Darlington's lifestyle co- ordinator, Phil Crosby, said: "It is about making friends a lot of the time and social inclusion.

"When people are coming off drugs, they need something to occupy their time."

Percussion teacher Stuie Ellerton will be leading the classes.

He said: "We don't intend to produce any famous drummers - it is about giving people a chance to relax. The aim will be to bring people out of their comfort zones. It is probably something that they have never done before and there will be a feelgood factor afterwards."

Participants will learn how to play the bongos, conga drums, and traditional drums as well as taking part in rhythmic exercises.

The classes - which will also include arts, mental health lessons, obesity services, cardiac rehabilitation and back pain classes - follow a previous GP referral scheme, which offered exercise on prescription.

This scheme, which has been running in Darlington since the 1990s, is believed to be responsible for helping people recover and control serious conditions.

The scheme is being offered by a partnership including the council, Darlington Primary Care Trust, the town's hospital, health and social care workers and venues like the Arts Centre and The Forum.

Mr Crosby, a former physical training instructor in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, said: "The rewards, both physically and mentally, will be considerable. It can't fail to make a real difference to people's lives."