SUPPORT for recovering alcoholics and drug takers has been cut after a vital Hampshire service lost funding.

2 Kings Road in Fareham, a nine-room hostel which helps people recover from drug and alcohol abuse, has changed uses following a withdrawal of council funding.

The facility has cost Hampshire County Council £79,000 a year to run since it first opened in 2008.

Two Saints, which owns the building, has subsequently been forced to close down the support services run from it, though accommodation for the homeless will still be available.

The requirement for a clean and dry rehabilitation facility in Fareham was included within Fareham Borough Council’s homelessness review in 2007, which identified a problem with alcohol abuse and drug taking among the town’s homeless population.

Two Saints regional director, James McDermott, said: “The county council had to slash £140m from its funding and the council has chosen to withdraw the funding for Hampshire’s last dry house.

“Although support is available in the private sector, it will be more challenging to obtain it and without the support that they were offered at 2 Kings Road which could affect clients’ ongoing recovery.”

Borough councillor Shaun Cunningham added: “The council is making cuts to the most vulnerable people in the society. People who are homeless from drink and drug problems should not be at the top of the efficiency budget for savings.

“I find it appalling.”

Councillor Patricia Stallard, the county council’s executive member for public health, said: “The council is facing significant financial pressures, which means we are having to change the way we commission and deliver services.

“We take a more efficient and targeted approach to commissioning drug and alcohol services for vulnerable people. Consequently, the decision to cease funding for this organisation was made more than a year ago, and we worked to ensure that those people receiving substance misuse support would continue to do so.

“We now commission countywide support for drug and alcohol dependency from Inclusion UK, and support centres, which include drop-ins.”