A STUDY into the extent of drug use in Ledbury is being launched as a first step in a new anti-drug initiative in the town.

Police have confirmed that confidential meetings have been held with councillors and representatives from the youth service and schools.

Ledbury's police chief, Insp Geoff Mayor, said drugs were "not a big problem in Ledbury", but that it would be naive to suggest the problem was not there, particular among the young.

"Yes, there have to be dealers in Ledbury. It's supply and demand," he said. "It's mainly so-called soft-drugs, cannabis and ecstasy, but I'm also sure there are heroin users here."

Insp Mayor said the first step was to get "a feel of the nature and size of the drugs problem".

Police Sgt Bob Wilson said although only four drug warrants had been taken out for the Ledbury and Ross areas in the past year, this was probably down to insufficient information.

He said: "You can't get a warrant on a wing and a prayer. We need to build a bigger picture. The greater community input, the more chance of an effective warrant."

Sgt Wilson said the possibility of setting up a drugs action group was discussed at a recent meeting in Ledbury.

"The meeting was aimed at getting more information and gauging what the picture in Ledbury might be," he said.

Mayor Spencer Lane, who is also a governor of John Masefield High School, said the meetings were confidential but "very useful".

He confirmed that he had sent a letter to Chief Insp Guy Rutter calling for the so-called "Star Programme" to be re-introduced to local schools, whereby officers go in to class and inform youngsters at both primary and secondary levels on the dangers of drugs.

The project has recently been withdrawn and the two officers assigned it have gone to beat management duties elsewhere in the county.

Coun Lane said: "We're trying to get it back through funding from the Market Towns. It's a valuable thing to have."

Coun Lane estimated that the cost of the scheme would be £15,000-£20,000 for the five market towns of Ledbury, Bromyard, Kington, Ross and Leominster.