TWO East Lancashire MPs have joined almost 10,000 people in Lancashire demanding a Government plan to protect children from smoke.

Postcards, designed by pressure group Smokefree North West, have been sent to the Department for Health calling for a long-term strategy to improve public health.

The group wants action to stop children from suffering the effects of breathing in second-hand smoke.

Now Mr Pope, MP for Hyndburn, and Pendle member Mr Prentice have also lent their support to the bid.

Dr Frank Atherton, lead director of public health for Lancashire and Cumbria, said: “Smoking kills 2,260 people across Lancashire every year but the response from the public and support from these Lancashire MPs is further evidence that this is a key public concern.”