THE results of a mass survey on drugs in Ledbury will be unveiled at a public meeting next month, organisers have announced.

More than 1,700 questionnaires have been returned to Ledbury Area Drugs Forum, following a drop on more than 4,000 homes in the town in the autumn.

The questionnaires were aimed at gauging public perceptions on the level of Ledbury's drug problem.

Vicky Barnes, the community development worker for the forum, said: "That is a very good response, and better than we expected."

Miss Barnes said there was a clear division in the perceptions of local drug use between young people and the older generation.

She said: "Older people, over sixty, are saying 'we don't know what drugs are'. Younger people, in comparison, think there is a greater problem. I was amazed at the amount of information we got back."

One concern raised in the questionnaire was the need for a needle exchange in Ledbury, for heroin users.

The youth centre was used briefly for this purpose last summer, but not since.

Miss Barnes said she had been in contact with Phil Stevens, drugs commissioner with Herefordshire Prim-ary Care Trust and the aim was to open a new exchange in Ledbury by April.

Meanwhile, the forum is supporting a puppet show with a drugs theme that will come to Ledbury Youth Centre for a four night run, starting on Tuesday, March 16.

There will also be daytime performances for group bookings, until March 19.

The Masque of the Red Death, based on the horror story by Edgar Allan Poe, features drugs, as the sinister instrument of destruction.

The show is not suitable for audiences under the age of 14.

The Fetch Theatre Company will perform it and afterwards there will be workshops led by professional drug education advisors, including Miss Barnes.

Tickets and further details on 01432 383523.