By Rosalyn Roden

A MUM from Radcliffe who smoked during her pregnancy has praised the service that helped her quit before her daughter's birth.

Victoria Woodall went through a difficult time early on in her pregnancy when her partner unexpectedly died.

But the 30-year-old has hailed a stop smoking advisor whose one-to-one support helped her kick the habit in March, before her baby was born.

She said: "After a stressful time in my life, regrettably I started smoking again.

"However, with the help of Sharon Hall my stop smoking advisor, I have managed to remain smoke-free, giving my baby the best start in life."

Sharon, from Bury Lifestyle Service, provided Victoria with one-to-one support throughout her pregnancy.

Victoria was given access to fortnightly support, and, in late March, she was smoke free.

She managed to remain smoke-free throughout her second and third trimester and now has a health 10-week-old baby girl.

Smokers hoping to quit are urged to take part in Stoptober as it returns for 2017.

Smoking causes around 79,000 preventable deaths per year in England, and remains remains the biggest cause of accidental fire deaths in the UK, and in Greater Manchester, where 46 per cent of accidental deaths are caused by smoking-related materials.

Bury Lifestyle Service, which was established more than 10 years ago, is offering additional support to coincide with the national campaign which continues throughout October.

The service is providing free and confidential one-to-one support to those living, working, or studying in Bury.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service have also pledged their support with a focus on keeping people safe from fire and improving health.

As part of their move to back Public Health England's Stoptober campaign, firefighters, community safety staff members and volunteers at GMFRS have been taking part in new training to help smokers quit.

Chair of the fire committee Cllr David Acton said: "This year GMFRS is pleased to be supporting the Stoptober campaign once again.

"Smoking related fires are the biggest killer in Greater Manchester. Since 2014 there has been more than 740 house fires caused by smoking materials so GMFRS staff members reaching out to those who smoke will hopefully see a decline in this type of fire in the future."