BURNLEY'S would-be next MP Kitty Ussher has made a national stand for the health of people living in the town.

Writing in her column for 'The Guardian' on-line she welcomed proposals in the Government's white paper to ban smoking in public places where food is prepared, on the grounds it will help to save Burnley lives.

Labour's Parliamentary candidate said: "Burnley's rates of heart disease and cancer are among the highest in the country, though things have improved recently.

"Circulatory diseases are the biggest killer in the town, responsible for around 400 deaths a year -- nearly half the total -- according to the Office for National Statistics.

"The ban will help people who want to give up, without making life a misery for those who do not.

"The fashionable clubs that have sprung up in the town centre in recent years attracting young people from across East Lancashire are unlikely to be threatened since the food offering appears restricted to kebab vans outside in the street. But the ban could be good news for the pubs that do serve decent meals because families may be more likely to go there."