REDDITCH smokers who give up the habit are some of the most successful in the county at not starting again.

Figures released by Redditch and Bromsgrove Primary Care Trust this week show that 61 per cent of people in both towns attending quit groups are still abstaining after four weeks.

The trust's first Smoking Cessation Annual Report also shows Department of Health targets being bettered and the national average being exceeded by about 10 per cent.

The Trust's NHS Smoking Advice Service has been helping smokers in the area to quit with free support groups and one-to-one sessions from trained advisers.

Other quitters have been using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products such as patches, gum and lozenges.

NRT products are known to double the chance of quitting and are available on prescription from GPs.

Products can also be bought over the counter and from pharmacists.

For more information, call Worcestershire Smoking Advice Service on 01905 760222.