THE British Heart Foundation's anti-smoking campaign gained support when it visited Newton Aycliffe yesterday.

Health staff and volunteers from the Sedgefield Primary Care Trust area vowed to back the Under My Skin Campaign when it visited the Pioneering Care Centre at Cobblers Hall, Newton Aycliffe.

The campaign, which is funded by the Department of Health, features Frank Sinatra's hit I've Got You Under My Skin and imagery of sinister ripples that move under smokers' skin, symbolising the unseen damage smoking causes.

The campaign was part of a lengthy debate at the Pioneering Car Centre yesterday and the Sedgefield NHS Stop Smoking Service took the opportunity to reinforce its pledge to help smokers in the area give up for good.

Victoria Cooling, Sedgefield NHS stop smoking service Co-ordinator, said: "Giving up smoking is the single biggest thing you can do to improve your health and the positive effects can often be immediate.

"We know 70 per cent of smokers already want to stop smoking but we also need to ensure people are aware of the most successful ways to quit and the support that is available to them."

Anyone wishing to quit smoking can get support from the stop smoking service on 01429 880888.