PLANS to make parts of Blackburn and Darwen smoke free areas are being considered by health chiefs.

Earlier this year East Lancashire health bosses slammed government plans, expected to be brought in over the next three years, to ban smoking in some public places as not going far enough.

Heads of local primary care trusts have even written to the Government suggesting an outright ban across all public areas, as the official proposals will only affect certain areas such as pubs serving food.

Now a 'working group' has been set up to look at the benefits of making the borough of Blackburn with Darwen smoke free, with representatives from the council, primary care trust and the voluntary sector meeting to discuss the issue.

Official aims of the group are to 'reduce exposure to second hand smoke for those who live, work and visit the borough; to raise awareness of the health risks of second hand smoke and help employers introduce effective smoke-free policies.'

Stephen Sloss, chairman of the group and director of Blackburn with Darwen Council's social services, said: "It's about protecting health, being responsible and considerate."

There are also plans to set up a website to give advice, and list all the smoke free venues in the borough.