PUPILS as young as 14 are experimenting with cocaine and heroin in Basingstoke - with some teenagers dealing cannabis to pay for their habits.

Graeme Nice, of the Community Drugs Service, which teaches parents, teachers and pupils about drugs and works with addicts, told The Gazette that hard drugs have become more available in the town over the past few months.

"We're in an age now where, sadly, it's not uncommon for even 14-year-olds in Basingstoke to be using class A drugs like cocaine and heroin," he said.

"Drugs are probably more accessible than alcohol in some areas because the law means that it's difficult for under-18s to buy drink."

He added that although Basingstoke's problem is no worse than other towns in Hampshire, people he has been counselling have told him crack cocaine use has increased in the town over the last few months.

John and Liz - not their real names - are two 15-year-olds from the Brighton Hill area. They told The Gazette that drug use among their peers has rocketed over the past year, with seven out of 10 taking cannabis or ecstasy by the time they are 16.

"There are a lot of drugs about in Brighton Hill," said Liz. "If you tried hard enough, you could probably get your hands on anything."

John said some of his friends use their pocket money or work Saturdays to get money for drugs - £5 can buy one ecstasy tablet.

"People think that ecstasy's wicked," he said. "It's taken out on the streets every Friday night. People just take it as soon as they get it instead of going somewhere secret. No-one's going to really notice if you slip it down your throat."

Paul Watson, a community safety officer for Hampshire Constabulary who goes into secondary schools in Basingstoke every day to teach drugs education, said teenage drug abuse is not limited to one area of the town.

Young people who take drugs are given a final warning the first time they are caught, but dealers are more likely to face a custodial sentence. However, this often does not put them off.

"I met a 14-year-old lad who was caught for dealing cannabis, and I was horrified by his attitude," said Paul.

"He said, 'If I keep dealing drugs, I'll get a Ferrari out of it.' It was as cold and callous as that."