A COUNTY Durham grandfather who was faced with the prospect of leg amputation is urging people to quit smoking.

Wilfred Rowan Curry, from Peterlee, decided to give up the habit after being told it was probably the cause of a blockage in the artery of his left leg, which could mean amputation or a stroke.

The 71-year-old, who has four grandchildren and has been a smoker since leaving school, said: “I was surprised to learn that smoking could cause problems in my legs.

“I had thought about quitting smoking before. Speaking to the surgeon finally gave me the impetus to do it.

“The cravings only lasted about two days. At first I was feeling a bit hitchy, but I’ve got no regrets at all about quitting. I don’t miss smoking at all.”

Fresh, a programme aimed at reducing the number of smokers in the region, is relaunching its Don’t be the one campaign to warn part-time and light smokers about the health risks, which include cancer and heart and respiratory diseases.

It follows a survey which found smokers in the North-East are cutting down, with one in five consuming five or fewer cigarettes a day.

Director Ailsa Rutter said: “We are urging people to think about quitting for their family. Cutting down can help people to quit, but taking the next step is vital.”