A LUCKY 13 Bury companies have been rewarded for bringing some fresh air to the borough.

They have won a Roy Castle Good Air Award for encouraging smoke-free areas within their restaurants, cafes and works canteens.

The award scheme was developed in Yorkshire, the home of entertainer Roy Castle, who died of lung cancer after years of working in smoky pubs and clubs. It encourages businesses to go for a smoke-free option.

The Bury initiative was run jointly between Bury Council, Greater Manchester Action on Smoking and Bury Health Care NHS Trust. The 11 winners of the Gold Award are: Castle Leisure Centre, Bury; Burger King, Kay Gardens, Bury; Gilbert's Restaurant, Market Place, Ramsbottom; JS Restaurant, Kings Road, Prestwich; Fairfield General Hospital's restaurant, Bury; Adams workplace canteen, Dumers Lane, Radcliffe; McDonald's Restaurant, Bury New Road, Whitefield; McDonald's Restaurant, The Rock, Bury; The Village Restaurant, Market Place, Ramsbottom; Bury General Hospital's restaurant, Bury; Age Concern's Jubilee Centre, Mosley Avenue, Bury.

A further two firms won the Silver Award: Stubbles Bistro, Haymarket Street, Bury and the Cottage Cafe, Church Lane, Prestwich.

They were presented with their awards on Wednesday (Feb 16) in the Broad Oak Suite at Fairfield General Hospital in Bury.

Councillor Mike Connolly, public protection spokesman, said: "Increasingly public places are deciding to provide their customers with the choice of smoke-free air.

"This scheme rewards those that have already taken the step and hopefully will encourage many others to do the same."

Two types of award are available through the scheme. A gold award denotes a completely smoke-free atmosphere while those achieving silver have provided a high standard of smoke-free provision.

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