Charter for Cheshire.

CHESHIRE authorities have signed up to a charter which protects staff who are exposed to second-hand cigarette smoke.

The Cheshire Charter, devised by charity Heart of Mersey, is aimed at community workers who have to visit people in their own homes, and are therefore not protected by the smoking ban.

First to sign up was Warrington Borough Council, with Halton Borough Council and the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service also achieving accreditation.

It was developed after the success of a similar scheme, the Mersey Charter.