AN awards scheme to encourage childminders to make their homes smoke free is to be launched.

The project, which has been operating in Derwentside since January, is to be introduced across the whole of County Durham and Darlington from next week.

The initiative will be launched on Tuesday when National Clean Air awards will be presented to participating childminders in a presentation at 6.30pm in County Hall, Durham City.

The area's six primary care trusts have teamed up with SureStart County Durham and Darlington to expand the scheme, which is designed to protect youngsters from the risks associated with second-hand smoke.

At present, all childminders have to refrain from smoking while they are looking after children, but are free to light up before they arrive, or once they are gone.

Health professionals claim that smoke from even one cigarette can linger in the air for up to two-and-a-half hours and the initiative is designed to help parents identify those who do not allow smoking in their home by placing their details on a central register.

So far, about 150 of the area's 800 registered childminders have expressed some interest in the scheme.

Dianne Woodall, tobacco control officer for the primary care trusts across County Durham and Darlington, said: "It's not just exposure to the actual smoke that impacts on health, people can still be affected hours later by the particulate phase of the smoke.

"This is why we felt that it was particularly worthwhile to encourage childminders in the area to go smoke free.

"By going smoke free, childminders can help keep children safe and healthy and reduce the impact of second- hand smoke."