SMOKERS in East Lancashire have been urged to quit ahead of an annual campaign.

Stoptober, the 28-day stop smoking campaign from Public Health England (PHE), returns in October, and will encourage smokers to make a quit attempt.

Data from the University College London show that smoking rates in England are dropping at the fastest rate in over a decade.

Yvonne Doyle, director for health protection and medical director at PHE, said: "Giving up smoking is the best thing a smoker can do for their health and it can also help save money – in just 28 days smokers will start to notice so many benefits."