SMOKERS who want to kick the habit have a new way to get professional help at their convenience.

Redbridge Council is one of 30 London boroughs to fund Stop Smoking London, a new helpline manned by trained advisers.

Residents can call the number seven days a week. Advisers will give one-to-one support from 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 11am to 4pm on weekends.

Specialists will either direct callers to services in the area or offer telephone-based support.

The number of smokers in London stood at 15.2 per cent in 2016, according to figures from the Annual Population Survey. The rate is also declining at a rate of three per cent every four years.

Stop Smoking London has been developed by the London Smoking Cessation Transformation Programme and is commissioned by the London Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH).

To get support quitting smoking, call 0300 123 1044.

For more information about available services, click here.