HEALTH workers are hoping to help more people than ever to keep their New Year's resolutions to quit cigarettes.

The smoking cessation service run by Derwentside Primary Care Trust, has been operating for three years out of the YMCA building in Parliament Street, Consett.

So far, more than 2,000 people have used it and it boasts a success rate of 62pc.

Along with offering nicotine replacement such as patches on prescription for up to 12 weeks, it also holds support group sessions in Stanley and Consett.

Smoking cessation officer Barbara Broadfoot said: "At first people were wary. They thought it was going to be like Alcoholics Anonymous, but it is much more relaxed.

"It is important that we not only break the addiction with the nicotine replacement therapy, but that we break the habit. The groups have proved very successful at that, because people who come along get support from other people in the same situation."

One couple to benefit are Tom and Julie Redmond, of Watling Bungalows, Leadgate, near Consett.

Mr Redmond, 43, a meat supervisor for the Co-op, decided to quit his 70-a-day habit in June and his wife followed suit.

"It is the hardest thing I have ever done, but also the best," said Mr Redmond.

"We had both tried before but failed. We never could have done it without the support group and Barbara."

Mr Redmond stopped smoking in a bid to save cash to go and see his sister, Anne, who lives in Perth in Australia. He said: "Before, I was going to the shop with £10 every night and that was buying forty tabs, a loaf of bread and some milk. Now one £10 note lasts us all week. We are saving seventy pounds a week."

Mrs Broadfoot admits she has got her work cut out in north-west Durham.

"Smoking rates are highest in areas of deprivation and we have plenty of those," she said.

But she believes the trend in banning smoking from the work place and public places has helped to boost the number of referrals this year.

"People are finding it increasingly difficult to find somewhere to smoke, so they decide now is the time to give up."

For further details on the smoking cessation service, contact Mrs Broadfoot on (01207) 214109