SMOKERS will be challenged to quit today, in a series of No Smoking Day events.

East Lancashire Primary Care Trust is urging smokers to give up the habit for a week, in the hope that they can continue to go without cigarettes.

Health workers will hold displays and give advice throughout East Lancashire from 10am to 4pm, visiting Asda in Accrington, Bacup Health Centre, St Peter's Health Centre, Burnley, and Nelson's Yarn-spinners Health Centre.

A health lifestyle session will also be held at the Yarnspinners from 1.30 to 4pm when residents can take blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol tests, as well as advice and refreshments.

Health bosses said the displays were part of a "big push" to boost the PCT's already high quit' rate.

Stop Smoking Co-ordinator Christine Donnelly said: "Overall, we know the service is doing very well in dealing with the increased demand.

"We seem to be increasing our percentage success rate in many areas and this is encouraging.

"We experienced an increase of people wanting to quit in the run-up to the smoke-free legislation and in the months following it.

"The traditional dip before Christmas wasn't as pronounced and then we had another surge in the New Year.

"Some services in some areas have struggled to keep up with demand but no-one is ever turned away.

"Now we have issued a No Smoking Day Challenge, asking people to concentrate on giving up for a week initially. We hope remaining smokers will use our help too, since you are four times more likely to quit with professional support and help."