Bradford Bulls Super League heroes and Bradford City today pledged to help prevent youngsters becoming the next generation of lung cancer victims.

It follows the latest statistics from Britain's two leading cancer charities which show that 450 children, some as young as nine, start smoking every day.

It coincides with Lung Cancer Awareness month and the launch of an Ashtray Amnesty by The Cancer Research Campaign and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund to help smokers kick the habit.

It also takes place as a campaign in Bradford is raising £1 million for cancer research in the city. The Telegraph & Argus Bradford Can...Cancer Research Campaign aims to raise the money to pay for pioneering research into anti-cancer drugs in the city.

The community of Bradford has thrown its weight behind the campaign and every penny raised - already more than £80,000 - will be match-funded by Sovereign Healthcare, in Manningham Lane, an offer worth more than £100,000.

The money will be spent at the University of Bradford's Cancer Research Unit where scientists are developing new ways of beating cancer, and on patient trials of anti-cancer drugs which are carried out on ward 15 at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

A spokesman for Bradford Bulls, said: "Cancer is the biggest killer in the western world. We would like to raise awareness of it, and our players can do that.

"We also hope that by supporting appeals like Bradford Can... a cure can eventually be found."

His comments were backed by City players and management, who said they backed all efforts to fight cancer.

Speaking of the Ashtray Amnesty, Professor Gordon McVie, director general of The Cancer Research Campaign, said: "Lung cancer claims the lives of 34,000 people a year in the UK, with between 80 and 90 per cent of all cases caused by smoking.

"We need help to raise awareness of the disease during January and hope you will support our Ashtray Amnesty and our goal to find a cure."

Sir Paul Nurse, director general of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund, added: "This way you will not only make life better for yourself by giving up smoking, but you will be doing your bit to raise vital awareness of lung cancer."

Any unwanted ashtrays can by sent to Ashtray Amnesty, 61, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3PX, until the end of January.

Please include your name, address and telephone number for a chance to win a journey to Wales, Scotland or the West Country, with Virgin Trains.

All clean ashtrays are welcome, but no glass ones. They will be gathered together and recycled into a sculpture, which will be unveiled on No Smoking Day on March 13.