A PIONEERING new project hopes to stop family breakdowns caused by the behaviour of adolescents.

The Multi Agency Rapid Response Service (MARRS) brings together outreach help from health, social services and education in Buckinghamshire in a bid to sort out family problems before they reach the point where youngsters are taken into care.

The project was officially launched at Orchard House, in the grounds of Lansdowne School, off Cressex Road, High Wycombe, on Monday.

Wycombe MP Sir Ray Whitney and children's ITV presenter Andy Collins opened the scheme which includes a family therapist, child psychiatrist and psychotherapist.

The £250,000 a year scheme hopes to help up to 250 families a year from all over Buckinghamshire and is thought to be one of the first schemes of its kind in the country.

Barry Kirwan, project manager, said: "There are many reasons why family relationships come under strain. It may be that a teenager is getting involved with crime, drink or drugs or excluded from school. Parents feel their child is out of control and they're at their wits' end and can't cope any more.

"The right kind of help at the right time can help to create better understanding and help parents and child come to an agreement about how to live with each other in future.

"Instead of having just one agency,as happened in the past, we know what is going on in the classroom and any mental health or welfare issue we will pick up very quickly."

Sir Ray said: " Having been a health minister and social security minister I do have some idea of the difficulties of co-ordinating the support structures that are available to get families together and applied where they are needed. I am delighted that High Wycombe has been chosen."