Pontefract’s Stop Smoking team, based at Pontefract Health Centre on Trinity Street – joined by Castleford town crier Reg Lavine – hit the town’s market last Wednesday to encourage townsfolk to take up the ‘Great No Smoking Day Challenge’ – to join a million other quitters by staying smokefree for one week.

Dr Anita Roy, head of primary prevention at Wakefield District Primary Care Trust (PCT), said: “As an incentive, they can raise money for their favourite charity by asking friends and family to sponsor them to stay smokefree.

“And at the end of that week, the second and third and fourth weeks don’t seem as daunting – and before they know it, they’ve given up.

“Our Stop Smoking team can provide support to help them.”

Reg Lavine joined the Stop Smoking team to give out information on support groups, nicotine replacement products and tips for beating cravings, while other professionals manned stalls at the Xscape leisure complex in Glass Houghton.

For more information about the ‘Great No Smoking Day Challenge’ visit www.nosmokingday.org.uk.