The Mirror:
Ex-criminals will work as ambassadors for Liverpool when it becomes City of Culture next year.
In a controversial move, former druggies and alcoholics will promote events during the £96million celebrations throughout 2008.
They will welcome visitors and show off why Liverpool won Europe's capital of culture prize.
But family organisations have blasted it as dangerous and demanded the plans are dropped.
Dr Adrian Rogers, of Family Focus, said: "The people behind this ridiculous idea should resign.
"I wouldn't want my kids approached by recovering alcoholics or drug users. It would make me very uncomfortable." The Elev8 scheme was
devised by the Liverpool Culture Company and Merseyside Probation Service.
Probation boss Dave Christian insisted: "It has to be people who committed relatively minor offences and pose no public danger."
Among tests the ex-crooks have to pass to prove themselves reliable is an 80-mile trek across Scotland.