A SERVICE that helps Somerset smokers quit is set to be axed next year.

The Smokefreelife Somerset will end at the end of March, earlier than expected.

Somerset County Council (SCC), which pays for the service, is currently facing a £24million over-spend, and is expected to lose a further £40m of direct government funding by 2020/2021.

SCC is looking for alternative ways to deliver a service that helps people quit.

Smokefreelife Somerset is the local trading name of Solutions 4 Health. This is the local stop smoking service, which exists to provide behavioural support and medication to people who are ready to quit smoking.

A spokesperson for Somerset County Council said: “We are committed to continuing to support people to stop smoking but given the council’s shrinking budgets we have to look at how we can best do this in the most cost effective way.

“We’ve held discussions to end our contract with Solutions 4 Health early so we can make savings but also so we can look at options for how the service can be delivered differently."