BLACKBURN with Darwen Council launched its official stop smoking campaign yesterday when the first bill board was put up.

The Smokefree Blackburn with Darwen campaign is aimed at reducing exposure to second-hand smoke, raising awareness of the health risk it poses and helping employers introduce effective smoke-free policies.

The £30,000 campaign, funded with a grant from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, aims to help local businesses prepare for the ban on smoking in public, which comes into force next summer.

And they're also being encouraged to change ahead of the ban.

The Smokefree group is made up of representatives from the Primary Care Trust, Blackburn with Darwen Council, health and trading standards officials and members of the community.

The first board was placed at Brownhill roundabout, but more boards are expected to appear over the next few weeks including one in Penny Street and on bus shelters in the town centre.