The lot of an alcoholic living on the streets is not a happy one. Abuse, poor health and the elements cause untold misery.

In the past, the attitude has been that it is up to the individual to break the habit by suddenly giving up the drug to which he or she has been addicted for years.

Understandably, a lot of alcoholics find this difficult. There is the question of willpower, followed by the delays experienced at the overcrowded hospitals which deal with detox programmes.

David Kerr has been service manager at the Equinox Centre in the Old Steine, Brighton, since it was set up two years ago.

It is one of only four places in Britain to have a "wet room", where people can come and drink in the daytime as an alternative to being on the streets.

Mr Kerr, a psychologist, said: "The idea is to see problems from their point of view.

"We wanted to reduce the number of people drinking on the streets but at the same time we wanted to provide somewhere where they could get help.

"A lot of people who come here are homeless or live in insecure housing.

"It is unrealistic to expect heavy drinkers to go straight to total abstinence. That way works for a lot of people but not everyone."

At the Equinox, drinkers have access to a doctor, social workers and council housing advisers.

The centre was set up in September 1998. Most of the money came from the National Lottery and the European Single Regeneration Budget.

Brighton and Hove Council and East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority also contributed.

Mr Kerr said: "We believe we can help people while they are still drinking and help them reduce the harmful effects of the alcohol.

"Lots have very poor health. If we can help people reduce the amount they are drinking, they are more likely to get more help.

"Often they book appointments at hospitals but have to wait up to three months to be seen. Even if they get the appointment, the will power has often gone by that stage.

"Even then, sudden abstinence is the cure usually prescribed, which can be too much for many.

"Most of our clients are long-term alcohol abusers. We deal with many of the heavy drinkers who are sometimes outside the system.

"A lot of them are excluded from receiving normal services.

"We have an open door for clients. Our policy is called 'social inclusion'. Often as soon as people realise they have somewhere to go and there is someone offering help, they improve.

"A lot of people have very low self-esteem. The image of an alcoholic is aggressive, but that's very often just a cover.

"It's good when we see clients get into proper, safe housing. Some have even got off alcohol and got a job after spending time here. Our way seems to be working well."

A high proportion of the alcoholics who come to the Equinox are ex-prisoners, divorcees or ex-servicemen. Many have lived in care or suffered abuse as youths.

About 80 per cent of the users are men. Most are in their thirties and forties.

Mr Kerr said: "We have an interesting relationship with the police. They are a huge supporter of the idea.

"We have worked out a protocol with them. Previously, when they came across a street drinker in a bad way they arrested him for being drunk and incapable, now they bring them here. Otherwise, it is a lot of work for the police and clogs up cells."

The sensitive approach of the Equinox stretches to breakfasts, showers and a laundry service. There is an alcohol-free quiet room, where visitors can relax and receive advice from one of the four members of staff.

Mr Kerr, who thinks the approach is paying dividends, said: "Three years ago drinkers on the streets would have been the major concern of most residents. These days, it would be drug users.

"I think we have something to do with that. Every minute people spend here is a minute they don't spend on the streets.

"People don't like seeing drinkers on the streets. We get them off the streets and try to improve their lives at the same time.

"There is a no-hope culture which we try to overcome by treating them as equals."

In an average day, between 40 and 50 drinkers use the Equinox Centre. At any one time, there is a group of 60 or so who could be termed "regulars".

There has been some trouble with centre users in the past, but Mr Kerr insists this is becoming less common as they adjust to the rules of behaviour imposed. A ban is rare.

A survey carried out by the University of Sussex last year found 99 per cent of those questioned were glad of the Equinox.

Mr Kerr said: "It's a service and idea which has come of age. There is interest in starting a similar project in Hastings.

"These are interesting people. Everyone who comes here has a story that's well worth hearing. It's easier just to dismiss them, but we don't do that."

Mr Kerr hopes to extend the Equinox's services to a three-bedroom house to give recovering alcoholics more space.

An unnamed charitable trust has donated £100,000.

It is hoped a detox centre will be installed in the basement of the Old Steine building soon.

Mr Kerr said: "We want to make this a truly rounded service so that we can tackle the problem fully.

"Hopefully, in a few years' time there will be no need to run this service at all any more. That would be the ultimate aim."

The Equinox Centre is open between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday.