A NEW county-wide stop smoking service will be launched in Abingdon tomorrow in time for 'Stoptober'.

The Smokefreelife Oxfordshire service, which is funded by Oxfordshire County Council’s public health team, will be in Market Square with health experts on hand between 10am and 4pm to give guidance on quitting aids and referrals for ongoing support.

There will also be activities for children, such as football skills sessions and colouring tables.

No appointments are necessary.

Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the UK and contributes to around 100,000 deaths each year.

Further events will take place at Templars Square Shopping Centre, Cowley, next Thursday and at Castle Quay Shopping Centre, Banbury, on October 11.

Both of those events will run between 10am and 3pm.

Elizabeth West, health improvement manager at Smokefreelife Oxfordshire, said: “There are so many benefits to giving up smoking and Smokefreelife Oxfordshire will be able to help with advice and support from fully qualified advisors.Join us for a fun day of activities and to gather more information of what services we can offer you from advice to training. I look forward to seeing you all there.”