HEALTH chiefs in Sedgefield borough are extending a scheme that trains people to help smokers quit.

Sedgefield Primary Care Trust is hoping that greater accessibility to services will help more people to give up smoking.

Cessation clinics, usually held in doctors' or nurses' surgeries, started at the AD Phillips pharmacy in Trimdon Colliery a year ago.

They proved so successful that others will soon be operating in the borough.

Colin Vallance, a partner in the pharmacy, said the starting point was to arrange a half-hour assessment so that the cessation advisor could decide how best to help a smoker quit the habit.

That would be followed up with a series of regular appointments.

He said: "No one can give up without willpower. That is first and foremost.

"Once the willpower is there, the actual presence of someone to give support seems to do as much good as the nicotine replacement therapy itself.

"When an agreement has been made to proceed, we can offer clients any of the preparations that are available - that is patches, gums, lozenges, nasal sprays or tablets."

The maximum length of time for the treatments is three months, working on a reduced dose basis.

The prescriptions cost £6.30 a month, but Mr Vallance said: "There is a great financial implication for the clients because most of those who have come to see us are probably smoking a minimum of 20 cigarettes a day. That works out at £120 a month."

The results from Trimdon have been better than the national average, with three out of five people remaining non-smokers at least four weeks after their target quit date.

Appointments at the Trimdon Colliery pharmacy can be arranged by telephoning (01429) 620314.

The pharmacy has now opened a second clinic at Phillips and Wright, in Fishburn. To arrange an appointment, visit the clinic or telephone (01740) 620314.

Hancock and Ainsley, in Main Street, Shildon, will be starting its first smoke cessation clinics on Monday. Contact (01388) 772280 for details.

All of the SureStart staff for the Shildon and Newton Aycliffe West Ward areas have trained as smoking cessation advisors.

They are particularly targeting parents with young families, pregnant women who want to quit and their partners, and can be contacted on (01388) 777613