MORE pharmacies in Durham and Chester-le-Street are offering help to smokers wanting to quit the habit.

Six stores have joined the three that were already giving help to meet the growing demand for the service, after completing training from the County Durham Primary Care Trust (PCT).

Iain Miller, co-ordinator of the Durham and Chester-le-Street stop smoking service for the PCT, said: "We had the usual increase in demand for stop-smoking services after New Year, but the demand has not fallen off as it usually does. In fact, demand just keeps rising, year on year.

"We know from colleagues in Ireland and Scotland that legislation on smoke-free workplaces and public places helps people to give up smoking and that the demand for services is highest about three months before the legislation comes into effect.

"The peak in demand in England is likely to be next spring, and we need to be ready to respond."

Sharron Kebell, the PCT's lead pharmacist, said: "Pharmacists are highly trained individuals and have been enthusiastic to expand their services and benefit members of the public.

"There have been three pharmacies involved before this latest round of training, two just recently, and 47 individuals have been seen. The success rate for the service is slightly better than that achieved for the service as a whole, and better than the national average."

Gail Hallam, pharmacy technician-counter assistant at M&M Chemists in Meadowfield, and a smoking-cessation counsellor, said: "It's very satisfying to know you are helping people really improve their health by stopping smoking."

For information on stop-smoking services in Durham and Chester-le-Street, call 0191-374-4109.

The chemists offering the service are: M&M, Meadowfield, Leaks, Framwellgate Moor and Belmont, The Store House, Rainton Gate, West Rainton, Whitfield, Coxhoe and Gilesgate, Co-op Pharmacy, Gilesgate and Langley Park, Lloyds Pharmacy, Sacriston.