Warrington Council has teamed up with LiveWire to encourage smokers to take up the 28-day stop smoking challenge.

During October smokers in Warrington are being encouraged to join up and quit together for Stoptober 2014 – the national stop smoking challenge from Public Health England.

Now in its third year, the campaign follows a successful Stoptober 2013 campaign, where 694 people signed up to quit smoking to improve their health, their families health and their finances. This year LiveWire welcomes back the campaign and encourages smokers to get involved.

Smokers will get a range of free tools including a new stop smoking pack, a 28-day mobile phone app, text support with daily updates, quitting advice and tips for coping, as well as the encouragement and support from thousands of people quitting together through social media channels.

You can access local free support with LiveWire’s stop smoking service, which has free drop-in sessions throughout Warrington.

Alongside support, top British comedians including the North West’s Paddy McGuinness will bring a touch of the British sense of humour to help quitters through this challenge.

Dianne Clarke, LiveWire’s area neighbourhood wellbeing manager and strategic lead for healthy lifestyles said: “Stoptober is a great opportunity for the smokers across Warrington to quit together alongside friends, family and thousands of other people in our area.

“In Warrington 17.8% of residents currently smoke and I hope that the campaign will give them the encouragement and support they need to succeed in their 28-day quit attempt.

“Quitting is the single best thing you can do for your health and with the help of LiveWire’s stop smoking service, the campaigns support, advice and humour I’m sure this year will be very successful.”

Cllr Pat Wright, executive board member for health, wellbeing and adult services at Warrington Borough Council, said: “We want to help as many people as possible in Warrington to become smokefree and there is a wide range of support available. With the extra support Stoptober provides, this is a great opportunity for smokers to notice the benefits and hopefully become ex-smokers for good.”

For further information on your local LiveWire stop smoking service call 0300 0030818 or visit www.livewirewarrington.co.uk/stopsmoking