'I was sorry I had to let her go'

"I feel so gutted for her," she said. "She was so excited when she came to work for me.

"I was so sorry I had to let her go because she was such a nice girl. She was the last person I would have expected to do drugs."

Mrs King explained that she had to sack Still because of poor attendance.

"She let me down so many times I had to let her go. I had to think of my customers. But what she really needs is help."

But she said she was desperately worried about her former employee.

"Adele was such a sweet, kind girl. She was very shy and she didn't understand what a lovely, pretty girl she was. She didn't believe she was beautiful.

"I've still got a folder full of her work. I know she would want it back and she is welcome to come and get it any time," said Mrs King.

Still is understood to have been estranged for some time from her mother Jennifer, who lives in Penhill. Both mother and daughter were approached by the Advertiser but they declined to comment.

Pauline Barnes, project manager at Stepping Forward, which gives support to under-19s who want to come off drugs, said youngsters who contacted them were assessed immediately and supported while they received treatment.

But where a partner was also on drugs, kicking the habit was made that much harder.

Support was also available for parents and families of addicts. "It is very distressful for parents. A lot of parents don't understand. They feel ashamed or they do not know how to cope with it," she said.

Stepping Forward offers advice and help for addicts under 19 and their families. There is a 24-hour helpline and email service

01793 531166 www.steppingforward. co.uk

Druglink offers similar services for older age groups 01793 610133 email: druglink.swindon@ virgin.net