AS the price of cigarettes gradually crept up and up, Catherine Berry, 54, decided it was about time she kicked her habit.

Catherine, of Creekmoor, Poole, had smoked between 20 and 40 a day for nearly 40 years.

"I didn't really want to give up," she said. "I didn't really think I would be able to do it."

But, with the help of her local Stop Smoking Service, where she attended group sessions and was given nicotine patches to help control her cravings, Catherine has now been a non-smoker for almost six weeks.

"I wasn't one of these people that was coughing and felt lousy, so there hasn't been a lot of difference in my health," she said.

"But it's just such a sense of achievement more than anything. It's the best thing I've ever done, I feel so in control now."

l For further help, contact your local Stop Smoking Service - Bournemouth: 01202 436866 or Poole: 01202 745750.