There has been an huge response to a stop smoking scheme being piloted in Ledbury.

Barbara Bennett, organiser of the Herefordshire Stop Smoking Service, said since mid-November, when the scheme was launched, some 70 Ledbury residents had registered for professional help in the drive to quit.

Briggs Pharmacy in The Homend has been involved in the scheme, offering nicotine replacement products for the maximum cost of one prescription charge.

Mrs Bennett said: "So popular is the scheme that Briggs' has been overwhelmed by the requests for help.

"People have read about the pharmacy scheme in the Ledbury Reporter, and it's extremely popular in Ledbury and Colwall, proving what we already knew, that the vast majority of smokers do want to break free from their smoking addiction."

Steve Briggs confirmed that there had been a very big response.

He added: "It was a little overwhelming, initially, and since then there has been a steady flow of people."

Local pharmacies involved in the Herefordshire Primary Care Trust project include Briggs' and Boots in Ledbury, together with the Colwall Village Pharmacy.

After initial checks at the pharmacies involved, to make sure that the smokers wishing to quit are not in need of referrals to GPs, the people on the stop smoking course can take advantage of weekly checks of carbon monoxide levels at their pharmacy, to see how treatment is benefiting them.

Mrs Bennett said: "Local smokers may also receive free professional help and nicotine replacement products on a NHS prescription from their doctor's surgery, or attend free stop smoking groups in Ledbury.

"We give smokers whatever support we can, and it's proving to be very successful."

Further details on 01432 262019.