A man in Hounslow who quit smoking after 52 years is encouraging others to stamp out the habit.

Stephen Little, 63, of Isleworth who started smoking at the age of 11 was puffing 50 cigarettes a day before he decided to give up, after nearly going blind from a brain tumour.

Set on turning his life around, first on his agenda was to quit smoking and he got in touch with One You Hounslow in May this year.

With specialist one-to-one support from Lavina, a stop smoking specialist at the Heart of Hounslow Centre for Health, he was able to kick the habit and his eyesight has recovered.

Mr Little said: “It’s what she does. She texts you, she’s there for you and she listens. We tried everything and that’s what’s great about it.

“If it didn’t work then we’d try something else. It’s only through her patience that I’ve stopped - she’s got the patience of a saint.”

Stoptober has been running this month challenge.

The nationwide campaign introduced by Public Health England (PHE) is the biggest mass quit attempt in the country and is based on research that if you can stop smoking for 28 days, you are more likely to stay smoke free for good.

Last year 731 smokers in the borough took part in Stoptober challenge.

Councillor Corinna Smart, cabinet member for public health and leisure at Hounslow Council, said: “Stoptober is the perfect opportunity for all those people who have not yet got around to quitting smoking, to do so now.

“Last year, we had such a fantastic response from residents across the borough who sought help and advice during Stoptober and have managed to give up successfully for good.

“Let them be an inspiration to those who are just starting on that journey – you can do it! “The help is out there and there’s no excuse not to try.”