NORTH Durham residents who want to kick the habit are being invited to stop smoking clinics.

Smokers in the Durham and Chester-le-Street and Derwentside areas can seek help at one of the many sessions taking place across the area each week.

Special clinics are also being run for pregnant women and their families or partners.

The clinics are aimed at motivated individuals who are prepared to work through a programme with the support of local primary care trusts.

Iain Miller, tobacco control and smoking cessation co-ordinator for the area, said: "Between April last year and March, 2,763 people have quit through the NHS Stop Smoking Services in the Durham and Chester-le-Street and Derwentside areas.

"People are twice as likely to succeed in stopping smoking using nicotine replacement therapy - add to that the support of your local NHS Stop Smoking Service and you are four times more likely to be successful.

"The NHS offers plenty of free help and support for people who want to give up smoking."

Anyone who feels the time is right to give up smoking and would like some advice are advised to contact their GP or register their interest for the Stop Smoking Clinics by calling 0191-374 4121 and 0191-374 4109 (Durham and Chester-le-Street) or (01207) 214630 214109 (Derwentside).