Drug addicts in Kingston still have to travel outside the borough to receive treatment as Kaleidoscope's detox unit still stands empty more than four years after it was built.

A three-year leasing deal between community project Kaleidoscope and a private company to turn the unit into a an exclusive rehab clinic was due to be signed in January this year but has still not been completed, leaving the six beds empty.

Martin Blakeborough, Kaleidoscope's chief executive, believes the delay is simply down to red tape. He said: "The big hold-up is due to solicitor's wrangling, rather than any problem with the deal itself, although it does seem at the moment that anything to do with that building takes a lifetime."

Church-sponsored Kaleidoscope was forced to negotiate the deal with the as yet unnamed company for the use of its detox unit, the only one in the borough, due to a lack of NHS funding and cooperation from local authorities.

Community Drug and Alcohol Action Teams (DATs) from across the country will still be offered the opportunity to refer addicts to the residential unit for rehabilitation, paid for by the DATs themselves.

However, at around £1200 per bed per week, Kingston DAT may not be able to afford access, leaving the unit available for private individuals and addicts referred by wealthier teams nationwide.