A recovering alcoholic is shining a light on living with addiction in a campaign supported by a former Coronation Street star.

Kevin Kennedy, best known for playing Curly Watts in the soap opera, is the first celebrity to lend his support to the project, run by mother-of-three Emma Bushen.

Every night during April she will be uploading a blog written by someone who has battled with, or been affected by, alcoholism.

Mr Kennedy was sent to rehab by his bosses in 1998, when he turned up to work after booze binges.

On her website he wrote: “I am also a recovering alcoholic and have been sober since 1998.

“I know just how difficult it is to get and remain sober, therefore Emma’s story is inspiring and current. Please enjoy her story and remember you are not alone.”

Mrs Bushen, 34, of Temple Way, East Malling, has now been dry for more than three years after turning to drink after the birth of her second child, Liam, now 10.

At the height of her nine-year addiction she would be drinking a bottle of vodka a day, and lash out at husband James in violent attacks. She even sold her wedding ring to pay for alcohol.

Now she is trying to help others to quit, with an online blog charting her experiences and offering support.

It has been timed to reflect Alcohol Awareness Month in America.

She has also released a frank autiobiography with co-writer Joanne Haywood, called Confronting The Bottle, available in the Maidstone WHSmith.

Mrs Bushen said: “Ever since the release of the book, Jo and I have been considering ways we might further help those battling addiction and their families.

“We’ve sought out opinions from people who have lived with alcohol or loved those who do, including my eldest son Luke.

“Our aim is to build a resource where people can see the truth of addiction from all perspectives.”