Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards has revealed he has personally warned Pete Doherty about his drug use.

Richards, whose own relationship with drugs has been well-documented, said he could sympathise with stars like Doherty and Amy Winehouse.

"Amy Winehouse and Pete take drugs for the same reasons we did," he said. "All I'd say is take your drugs in your spare time, if that's what you want to do, but don't mix it up."

Speaking to AnOthermag, Richards said his advice to Doherty didn't “make a difference”.

"If you mix it up you're just gonna fall like a million others,” he said. “I've seen too many friends gone that way."

The Rolling Stone also discussed his relationship with John Lennon in the interview, revealing that the pair once went on a drug-fuelled road trip together.

Meanwhile, Richards releases his autobiography, Life, on October 26.

(by Jason Gregory)