THE number of North Durham smokers helped to stub out the habit has risen by 25 per cent, health chiefs say.

Between last April and December, 645 people quit smoking, thanks to the help of the Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust's Stop Smoking Service.

This compares with 518 people who had gone four weeks without smoking in the same period in 2003.

During the year, the service has also trained 65 more health professionals, such as surgery nurses and pharmacists, to help people give up.

The service has been provided at GPs' surgeries since 2001, but no pharmacists had been trained to give advice and support.

Smoking cessation co-ordinator Iain Miller said: "By providing Stop Smoking Services in GP practices and local pharmacies, it has made it easier for local people to get advice and support.

"We also provide stop smoking groups in the community where need dictates and local people now have a greater choice of where to go.

"Helping the people of Durham and Chester-le-Street to quit smoking is an important priority for improving the health of local people and smoking cessation services are part of the Government's strategy to reduce the often devastating ill health caused by smoking.

"It doesn't matter how old you are or how long you have been smoking for, quitting can still make a difference to your health and quality of life.''

Anyone wanting advice should call their GP or the Stop Smoking Service on 0191-374 4109 or 374-4121.