A new survey claims around 20% of Ashford adults continue to light up despite the widely-publicised health risks of smoking.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) published the results from Acorn Data, which show there are more smokers in Ashford than the national average – which is 18%.

Acorn is a survey tool that uses demographic categories and social factors to analyse and predict behaviours of people in different communities.

The charity is using this figures to urge smokers to visit their local stop smoking services before No Smoking Day on Wednesday, March 11.

Dr Mike Knapton, associate medical director at the BHF, said: “Smoking increases the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and a variety of cancers.

“The good news is that stopping smoking is the single best thing you can do for your heart health and the risk to your overall health decreases significantly soon after you stop.”

BHF says as well as the obvious health risks a smoker with a 20-a-day habit will spend an average of £255 a month on cigarettes.

To receive information and support on stopping smoking visit nosmokingday.org.uk and join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #NoSmokingDay.