'I quit - and now I'm heading for my dream holiday'! That was the message from Blackpool dad-of-two, Glenn Casson, who was named runner-up in the national Quitter of the Year 2005 competition.

He decided to give up the fags after his six-year-old daughter Chloe, pleaded for a family holiday abroad - and his prize of £1,000 in holiday vouchers will help the family get away in the new year.

"I stopped for my little girl," said Glenn after receiving his prize in a ceremony at London's Oval cricket ground last month.

"She desperately wanted to go on an aeroplane.

"Since quitting we've had more holidays abroad and I can really see how much money I was wasting on cigarettes."

And the 47-year-old HGV driver revealed that he had a secret weapon in his battle against nicotine - he took up canoeing to help keep his mind off the cigarettes.

He also beat cravings by sucking on boiled sweets rather than reaching for the cigarettes.

"I'm really pleased about winning this prize - I never expected it!" added Glenn: "I quit for my daughter Chloe and I know she'll be making the decision on where we go on holiday - she already has a few ideas!"

The award was part of a scheme run by national charity Quit and sponsored by Nicotinell.

Glenn was joined at the ceremony by his wife, Louise, who said: "It's brilliant that Glenn won the runner-up award. We're all really proud of him, especially the kids."