HELP is on hand for smokers in Teesside who plan to make a New Year's Resolution to kick the habit.

The Tees Smoking Cessation Service, supported by Teesside Health Action Zone, offers a variety of options for people who have decided to stop smoking, including a number of clinics, planned for next year.

There is a telephone helpline, the option to visit trained nurses, in every doctor's surgery on Teesside, and the possibility of one week of free nicotine replacement therapy.

Latest figures from the service show that 6,617 people on Teesside have decided to stop smoking with the service since it was set up ten months ago.

Carole Johnson, smoking cessation coordinator, said: "Our overall success rates are very encouraging - 41.7 per cent of smokers who decide to quit are still not smoking after four weeks.

"The most successful method for quitting at present is intensive support by specialist clinicians.

"Would-be stoppers meet for one hour a week for six weeks, getting advice and support from the group tutors, but more importantly from each other."

Anyone interested in finding out about the clinics planned for the new year, or wanting advice on how to stop smoking should contact the smoking cessation quitline on (01642) 223023.