WHETHER it is finally being able to afford a new car or the ability to go on a bike ride with their child, there are many reasons why residents have quit smoking in the past 12 months thanks to the help of Livewire.

But this year the quit smoking team are hoping even more people stub out their fags for good during 'Stoptober', a national campaign encouraging people to quit smoking throughout the month of October.

Fearnhead mum Fiona Pomfrett is one of the many residents who benefitted from attending the drop in centre at Fearnhead Cross.

The 37-year-old had been smoking 20 a day alongside her husband David but since seeking help to quit in May, the couple have now saved enough money to buy a new car.

She added: "Saving for the car was a good incentive to keep going.

"My tip to anyone trying to quit is polos.

"I couldn't go anywhere without them but after about four weeks it was like a switch went off and I couldn't be bothered going to the shop anymore and spending money on smoking.

"I had tried to stop before but doing it together made it a lot easier."

John Penrith used the Livewire stop smoking drop-in at Orford Park Library in July 2013 and October 2013 after being diagnosed with COPD and finding it increasingly difficult to breath.

Being told by his respiratory nurse his lung function and mobility had deteriorated spurred him on to make a quit attempt as well as the desire to keep up with his 12-year-old daughter.

He added: "I did have a little lapse after my holiday but got straight back on track with the support of the advisors.

"I worked hard to change my routines that were linked with me having a smoke and the more I went to the drop in session the more positive I felt about it.

"Although my condition hasn’t got better because I know that it can’t, the way I deal with it is much better.

"I found that once I’d quit I got my second wind, I was me again and I was so thankful.

"I’m even planning a bike ride with my daughter in a few weeks from Warrington to Liverpool airport.

"Something this time last year I never thought I’d be capable of!"

For more information on Livewire stop smoking services, call 0300 0030818 or visit livewirewarrington.co.uk/stopsmoking.