BUDDING artists have started work on a logo for an anti-smoking campaign.

The Smoke Free Derwentside scheme was launched in July and aims to improve health by encouraging companies and organisations to ban smoking.

The move comes after Liverpool City Council voted in favour of an anti-smoking ban, which now needs Government approval.

Dr Anne Low, director of public health for Derwentside, said: "In the North-East there are over 5,500 smoking-related deaths each year.

"However, this statistic hides the hundreds of thousands of people who suffer poor health as a result of active or passive smoking.

"Smoke Free Derwentside is an important project for the Derwentside area.

"It will tackle smoking, one of the major risk factors for ill health and early death from coronary heart disease, cancers and strokes."

Campaign leaders have invited young people aged four to 18 to design a logo for the project, which will be judged in four age categories.

Entries must be submitted by December and should be sent to Dr Maggie Ireland, Derwentside Primary Care Trust, Tower Block, Shotley Bridge Community Hospital, Consett, County Durham.