Doherty vows to stay off drugs

LONDON, Oct 24 (Reuters) Singer Pete Doherty today vowed to stay off drugs after a magistrate revoked the remaining months of his compulsory supervision order.

Doherty's pledge was made outside court just moments after a magistrate congratulated him on his progress in tackling his drug problem.

''I think I am going to have to,'' he said. ''I have kind of had enough really. ''It is just the beginning, you know what I mean, in their eyes. My life has changed, but I'm still a little bit wobbly. I am taking it one day at a time.'' Surrounded by reporters and a dozen photographers, Doherty, 28, said he just wanted to ''get out on the road with the boys'' to play more music with his band Babyshambles.

Thames Magistrates Court in east London heard that Doherty had been making good progress in his fight against drugs.

The review hearing was held to gauge his progress in drug rehabilitation after a string of court appearances in recent months. Doherty has spent two days a week in voluntary drug rehabilitation and has attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

Magistrate Jane McIvor cancelled the last six months of his forced rehabilitation which was compulsory under the court order.

''I am going to revoke the last six months of the order,'' she said. ''There is no need for any statutory supervision or state funding because the plan that's already in place, the experts have convinced me, is going to be followed.'' Asked to comment on his progress, Doherty, wearing a black suit and tie, told the court: ''Yeah (I am) quite proud really, it's the beginning.'' His lawyer Sean Curran told the court it was a ''long road ahead'' which has just started.

The singer, who had an on-off relationship with the model Kate Moss, has been repeatedly arrested for drugs offences in recent months.

REUTERS SG RK1546