CASH is on offer to help make public spaces smoke free as part of a drive by North Yorkshire county council to promote healthy lifestyles.

Campaigners are calling on groups across the area who have a problem with smoking in public places particularly parks, play areas, school gates and town squares to apply for grants which are available through the Smokefree Places Fund.

On the North York Moors this summer children were encouraged to back the campaign through a summer art roadshow run by Ryedale District council.

"In Norton, children were shown how their outdoor play areas should be places to light the imagination, not cigarettes, and they decorated them with colourful nature mosaics and intricate ‘lung-tree’ illustrations," said North Yorkshire's Director for Public Health Dr Lincoln Sargeant.

"The grant was also used to fund smoke-free signs at all play areas to make people think twice about smoking harmful cigarettes close to children’s play areas, and to empower local families to demand a smoke-free environment of fresh, clean air. South Tees NHS Foundation Trust also used funding to install signs at the entrance of Northallerton’s Friarage Hospital as part of their national pledge to go smoke-free," he added.

The funding is part of the Breathe 2025 partnership. A spokesperson said: "Our campaign wants to see the next generation of children born and raised in a place free from tobacco, where smoking is unusual"

The closing date for funding is De3cember 31, go to nycc.flexigrant.com