LIBBY Alker from Allanson Street Primary School is doing her bit to stamp out smoking in play areas around town.

Hundreds of pupils around the borough took part in a competition to design a poster promoting St Helens Council’s new voluntary no-smoking code in all of its public play zones Mayor of St Helens, Councillor Geoff Almond, congratulated winner Libby and six runners-up for their efforts.

Libby will now have her self-portrait incorporated into Play Smoke Free signs at all 92 play areas in the borough.

The children were invited to the Mayor’s Parlour, where they each received a book from Cllr Almond, plus a certificate and a framed copy of their designs.

St Helens Council introduced the no smoking code at all of its public play areas in June 2012.

It had been developed by local heart health charity Heart of Mersey (HoM) in partnership with St Helens Council and Halton and St Helens Primary Care Trust, and aims to reduce the number of youngsters who start smoking after being influenced by those who do.

Three out of four children are aware of cigarettes before they reach the age of five, according to Heart of Mersey.

Nationally an estimated 330,000 children under the age of 16 try cigarettes for the first time each year.

The voluntary code aims to ‘de-normalise’ smoking in areas where children play and learn.

Smoking is still the biggest cause of death and ill health in the UK.

Smoking in children’s play areas – by teenagers and adults – can often make the habit seem normal to youngsters.