THOUSANDS of people in north Kent have stopped smoking in the past year with the help of the NHS.

NHS West Kent, the primary care trust for north Kent, has helped 3,979 smokers quit the habit in the last year, which is 24 per cent more than the previous year.

Laura Bush, the trust's stop smoking team manager, said: “I am so proud of the hard work behind each one of these 3,979 success stories.

“We offer a range of personalised and friendly options for people who are thinking about quitting and we support each individual in the way that best suits them.”

For more information call the Stop Smoking Team on 01622 723836, email smoking.westkent@nhs.net or contact your GP.