A HOMELESS campaigner who once slept rough on Greenock's streets is returning to the town to make a hard hitting new film.

Former drug addict Stephen Smith says he wants to reach out to help people in Inverclyde through his documentary.

Since recovering from his own addictions he has spent his life trying to help others and highlight the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse.

Forty years ago the Londoner found himself in Inverclyde after jumping on a train to keep warm.

Now he wants to try to set up new centres for the homeless, 20 years after making a BBC documentary.

Stephen, now 75, who lives in Stockport, said: "I remember that Greenock was a very friendly place and the people were kind.

"I used to jump onto trains to keep warm and go wherever they took me.

"Back in the 1970s I ended up in Greenock.

"I slept in doorways.

"I wanted to come back for my new film.

"I want to hear the stories from people affected by drugs and alcohol here and I would like to help in Greenock as well."

Stephen eventually overcame his battle with drugs and went on to make a film called Addict.

Now with homelessness and street violence on the rise he wants to revisit the issues he explored two decades ago.

He added: "I want to stop young adults from becoming criminals in the first place.

"I want people who are addicts or who have been addicts to take part. "

Stephen, who was addicted to amphetamine, ended up turning to crime and wants to create centres for young adults, including in Greenock.

Stephen added: "Reflecting on my own wasted youth I sincerely believe all this can make a difference and Greenock.

"Drug and alcohol addiction is not a weakness, it is an illness that can be addressed one day at a time."

Anyone interested in taking part in Stephen's film can contact him 43 Greek Street Stockport SK3 8AX or by emailing stephen@stephensmith.us