MORE Redditch men are taking up smoking despite it being one of the biggest killers in the town, it has been revealed.

The news of the rise follows revelations that Redditch has the highest number of deaths from coronary heart disease and strokes in the county.

Health liaison officer for Redditch Council, Jean Arrowsmith, said smoking was linked to depravation, which was prevalent in many wards in the town.

And in a recent health report, Redditch was highlighted as the most deprived area in the whole of Worcestershire.

Mrs Arrowsmith said figures for the number of smokers in the town were actually reverting back to old times despite the proven health dangers and increased warnings.

She said: "Worcestershire Health Authority has been given a substantial amount of money to tackle the problem of smoking.

"The health authority will take on a smoking cessation manager next month.

"The officer will train people around Redditch to help people give up smoking.

"The person will look at setting up clinics in GP surgeries, working at the Alexandra Hospital, Redditch Primary Care Group, Redditch Council and schools to tackle the problem."

Mrs Arrowsmith said smoking was also being tackled as part of a multi-agency health improvement programme for coronary care.

And she said the British Heart Foundation estimated 24 per cent of deaths from coronary heart disease were due to smoking.

A recently launched steering group is proposing to ban smoking in The Kingfisher Centre.