MORE businesses are joining forces in a bid to thwart a killer.

Smoking is described as Middlesbrough's biggest killer - one person dies every day from a smoking-related illness. Lung cancer, heart disease and strokes are higher in Middlesbrough than the national average.

More than 100 businesses in the town have now introduced smoking bans.

The latest batch to sign up to Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon's bid for a smoking-free town, 47 firms, range in size from hair salons and shoe shops to a leisure centre and restaurants. Each has signed up for a total ban on smoking within the next 12 months.

The aim is to get smoking rates in the town down to the national average by 2015.

Mr Mallon said: "Smoking blights the lives of too many people in Middlesbrough.

"We know that many smokers are looking for an incentive to give up, and that non-smokers don't want their own health and comfort jeopardised by second-hand smoke. That is why we want all businesses in Middlesbrough to join our campaign.

"I am delighted we have topped the 100 mark.''