PETE DOHERTY - DOHERTY HAS OPERATION TO PREVENT DRUG-TAKING

Troubled rocker PETE DOHERTY has undergone a controversial leg operation to help him stay off heroin.

The former LIBERTINES star left a London rehabilitation centre yesterday (19FEB05) after successfully clearing the drug from his system during a two week stay.

But to help him quit his addiction for good, an implant - which blocks the effect of the drug - has been inserted in the top of his leg.

PAUL RUSSELL, the director at Doherty's rehab programme, explains, "Pete has now been clean for two weeks. He's done really well.

"He went into hospital for a minor operation to have a Neltrexone implant. It's an opiate blocker which lasts for three months.

"Even if he takes heroin now it will have no effect."

Doherty will now start a 12-week programme of daily counselling and therapy.