A VOLUNTEER for the Cancer Research Campaign, who has been a smoker since the age of 13, is to stamp out her last cigarette to help raise awareness about the benefits of quitting.

Pensioner Isabella Ronald, 74, of Molyneaux Court, Preston, says she is determined to kick her 20-a-day habit for good.

And despite previous failed attempts the mother-of-five hopes to succeed this time around with the help of nicotine replacement patches (NRT) -- now on sale in the charity's Preston shop in Friargate as part of an eight-week trial.

"I haven't tried patches before, though I have tried to give up. Now is a good opportunity to try again," said Isabella, pictured, who has 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Isabella's daughter, Carol Fletcher, 53, from Ashton, added: "We are very worried about her because she has angina and we've been nagging her to stop for ages. But after she lost her mother and then her husband she felt cigarettes were her only comfort.

"I think she's determined now and the patches will act as a crutch for her. She's been working at the cancer shop for four years and it really keeps her mind occupied. But she gets puffed out a lot and that wouldn't happen if she didn't smoke."

A recent change in legislation means the help-to-quit patches can be bought at other outlets as well as chemists where they have been available for more than 10 years. It is hoped the trial at the Preston store will increase customer choice and help raise vital funds for the Cancer Research Campaign -- with one third of the price of a pack of patches going to the good cause.

Jean King, education director for the charity, said: "It's never too late to give up smoking.

"Research shows that even in middle age, smokers who stop before they have developed some serious disease, avoid the risk of dying from smoking."

Packs on sale in the charity shop will have clear information on the front to help smokers self-select which pack is the right one for them.