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

The project, which has been operating in Derwentside since January, is to be rolled out across County Durham and Darlington from next week.

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

The area's six primary care trusts have teamed up with Sure Start County Durham and Darlington to expand the scheme, 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.

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."