A NORTH-EAST council is leading the fight against tobacco-related diseases by banning smoking outdoors.

Derwentside District Council, in County Durham, claims it is the first authority in the country to try to tackle outdoor smoking by banning cigarettes in and around all its buildings and asking people not to light up in parks and playing fields.

The council is also putting signs up asking people not to smoke in recreation areas it owns.

The measures extend bans already in place on smoking in offices, communal halls, leisure centre, theatre bars and community centres in the district.

The council will receive two Gold National Clean Air Awards today for its efforts.

Councillor John Pickersgill, one of the council's representatives on Smoke Free Derwentside, said: "Without doubt, this gold award is proof of the commitment of Derwentside District Council's elected members, working in conjunction with its trade unions, in protecting the health of its 800 employees from second-hand smoke.

"It also shows its commitment to the health of its residents, especially children, by bravely leading the way in curtailing smoking in public places such as play parks."

Dr Maggie Ireland, chairwoman of Smoke Free Derwentside, said: "Some people were initially unsure about asking people to refrain from smoking in the outdoor areas and play parks, but a detailed public opinion survey that we carried out revealed that 93 per cent of people living in Derwentside wanted to see the local play parks go smoke- free."

The council says there was big support from its employees, with 89 per cent in favour of a ban.

Council leader Alex Watson said: "It has taken us less than a year from the initial proposal to going completely smoke- free.

"I hope this will encourage other councils to follow our example.

"Within Derwentside, we do not believe simply banning smoking from indoor facilities is enough - we hope to take this further by asking residents to respect the rights of others and refrain from smoking where others, and particularly children, gather. This includes play areas, skate parks - even football pitches.

"We will be erecting signage to reflect this, and all consultation work we have done shows that the public support this overwhelmingly."