An advice centre in Chatham town centre, set up last year to help smokers give up, has proved so successful it has been granted a lease for a further three years.

Smokefree, based in Railway Street, has achieved encouraging results in getting people to quit the habit compared to other areas in the South.

It has also expanded its services to include advice on breastfeeding and pregnancy, weight management and mental health.

From the opening in August 2015 until May this year, there were 2,543 meetings with clients, of which 1,723 were for the stop smoking service.

During 2015-2016, Medway is third in the South East for the number who have successfully quit.

The services were relocated from two other clinics, based at Chatham Library and the Nucleus Arts in the town, since which time the refurbished premises have flourished.

The move has also proved cost-effective as staff are not moving around to other locations meaning they have more time to see clients.

The council’s Cabinet decided on Tuesday to renew the venue’s lease until March 2020, after learning that a third party might be interested in taking over, which would lead to its closure at short notice.

The town centre location has also attracted a boost in trade and, as of September this year, opening hours have been extended.

With a large shop window and entrance foyer, the venue has also been used to promote several health and wellbeing campaigns and there is also training and meeting space.

Cllr Jane Chitty, who is a smoker, joined Cabinet members voting to extend the lease.

She told the meeting: “I am proud to say that none of my children or grandchildren smoke.

“They must look at me, hear my coughing and that has put them off. So you could say I am a good influence and a good example of how to put people off.”

For advice on giving up smoking, see www.abettermedway.co.uk