A SMOKING ban is being introduced in council-owned play areas in the Taunton and Wellington area.

The first sign warning people not to light up has appeared in the main play area at Vivary Park, Taunton.

Taunton Deane was the first district council in the country to sign the Local Government Declaration on Tobacco to underline its determination to tackle harm from smoking.

The authority wants to make sure children do not have to witness smoking and see it as socially acceptable when they enjoy playing in the fresh air in council-owned playgrounds.

Cllr Vivienne Stock-Williams, who represents Taunton Deane on the county's Health and Wellbeing Board, and Cllr Catherine Herbert, who holds the parks, sports and leisure portfolio, watched the landmark sign being put in place.

Cllr Vivienne Stock-Williams, who represents Taunton Deane on the county's Health and Wellbeing Board, said: “Smoking remains one of the major threats to health.

“Children deserve to be protected from people smoking around them. It's not much to ask smokers not to light up in these areas."

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