AMY WINEHOUSE - TROUBLED ARTISTS OFFERED SAFETY NET

TROUBLED ARTISTS OFFERED SAFETY NET

Amy Winehouse and other troubled musicians may get a ''safety net'' clause written into their contracts, allowing their record companies to intervene if they got off the rails.

Amy Winehouse and other troubled musicians could get a "safety net" clause in their record contracts.

Former Island Records head Marc Marot said he will be writing a clause into agreements with artists which allows the record companies to intervene if they are struck with problems such as drug addiction, anorexia or depression.

Marc, who now heads Sports Entertainment Group UK - which represents Billy Ocean and Aswad among other acts- said: "As an industry, the music industry is pathetic compared to other industries."

It has not been detailed what sort of action it will be possible for the record company to take in the event of stars being hit by problems. The concept has been met a mixed reaction.

Musician Dave Okumu said: "If I were presented with a contract which contained a clause allowing the record label to intervene in the event of 'personal troubles' I would be naturally suspicious."

The idea was met with a more positive outlook by Joseph Mount of dance rock group Metronomy.

He said: "Your Pete Dohertys and Amy Winehouses - people would love the opportunities that those people get.

"When Amy Winehouse went off the rails she should have been dropped. It would have been a pretty big gesture if the label had said, 'We do not condone drug use or bad performances'."