Morrisons has been given a top health award for supporting its workers who want to quit smoking.

Many staff at the supermarket's head office in Gain Lane, Thornbury, Bradford, have stubbed out cigarettes for good with help from the local NHS stop smoking service which has run workplace groups there.

In recognition of Morrisons' support the stop smoking service, part of Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust (tPCT) is presenting them with a smoke-free excellence award.

The service has worked with Morrisons since the company asked for help with going smoke-free - both before and after the smoke-free law came into force last July. Four stop smoking courses have been held on the site, making stopping smoking easier for staff who might otherwise have found it hard to get support when working full-time.

Gail Stringer, of the Stop Smoking Service, said: "Most people know that you're four times more likely to stop smoking with professional help, but this isn't always easy when you're at work. So the stop@work' course is ideal, free of charge and can be held over a lunchtime, the start or end of the day or at a shift change over.

"Morrisons' decision to go smoke-free at its head office ahead of the legislation showed a really strong commitment to create a healthier environment for its staff. Their continued support for staff who want to quit smoking has also been really encouraging, so the award is well deserved."

Chloe Frazier, who works for Morrisons, stopped smoking seven months ago with help from the workplace group.

"I thought the sessions were great," she said. "I've tried quitting a number of times over the years but never succeeded until I attended the workplace group - I think this was because the sessions were at work, and easy to attend."

Any firms wanting to set up a workplace group, or anyone who wants helps and advice, can contact the stop smoking service on (01274) 363559.