NORTH Wiltshire District Council is to collect a top award tomorrow for restricting smoking in the workplace.

The award is given by the Wiltshire Primary Care Trust to organisations and businesses that restrict environmental tobacco smoke in public and work areas.

The gold award is made to reflect the extent of smoke free provision and tomorrow's presentation coincides with the beginning of the council's new no smoking policy which will reduce the effects of smoking around the workplace.

For staff it means there will be no smoking breaks and smoking will only be permitted during lunch breaks outside the no smoking area.

Customers visiting the council offices will be asked to respect the new no smoking policy by not smoking near the council offices.

The award will be presented to Cllr Desna Allen, chairman of the personnel, licensing and administration Committee by Ann Shelley, the Wiltshire Primary Care Trust's director of public health.

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