STEPS are to be introduced to make all hospital areas in the region smoke free.

The County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is updating its no smoking policy.

It aims to implement a total smoking ban in all hospital grounds by next spring.

Changes to the policy will be introduced in two phases.

Small alterations will begin next month and will include closing the staff smoking room at Darlington Memorial Hospital and limiting smoking to designated shelters or areas.

The trust's director of facilities Kevin Oxley said it would be reviewing smoking policy, because it was likely that it would be banned throughout the NHS by the end of next year.

"We will be as sensitive as possible to the needs of staff, patients and visitors who smoke, but our priority is to provide a smoke-free environment for those who do not."

One of the first objectives is to inform staff, patients and visitors of the new areas, to prevent groups of smokers congregating outside the main entrances to hospital buildings.

The trust hopes to achieve this through improved signage and leaflets will be sent to patients with appointment or admission letters.

Security staff will be used to police the strategy and a 'soft' approach will be adopted for the first 12 months.