THE number of people dying each year as a direct result of lung cancer in Bury is higher than the national average.

An average of 33 people per 100,000 of population die from the disease compared to 28 patients per 100,000 nationwide.

The figures were revealed by thetrade union GMB which is demanding that the Government-proposed bill on banning smoking in the workplace does not exclude workplaces in the leisure and entertainment industry, such as non-food pubs and private clubs.

Glyn Thornton, GMB casinos organiser, said: "GMB will not agree to the government introducing a two-tier workforce in regard to the smoking ban in workplaces.

"We do not want second-hand protection for some workers which will allow employers to poison them with smoky atmospheres at work.

"We cannot have a situation where some employees are covered by laws banning smoking in their workplaces and others are not."