AS hundreds of smokers prepare to stub it out on National No Smoking Day, two health workers are dragging a giant cigarette from the Reebok Stadium to the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Gary Bickerstaffe and Tracey Holliday, two advisers with the Bolton Stop Smoking Service, will be pulling the huge, plastic cigarette for six miles to promote the message that "smoking is a drag".

Both Bolton Wanderers players and staff at the Royal Bolton Hospital have pledged their support to persuade smokers to kick the habit today.

Mr Bickerstaffe said: "We're really pleased that the hospital and club have leant their considerable weight and influence to this year's campaign. Smokers, on average, lose 21 years of good quality life."

As well as the walk, health bosses have organised the second Clean Air awards, where a host of businesses, including Royal Mail, Warburtons and Bolton Council, will receive recognition for the work they have done to help employees quit smoking and ban smoking in their buildings.