A children's playground has become Thetford's first 'voluntary smoke-free zone'.

Castle Park play area is one of a number of play areas and schools in Breckland to take part in the initiative.

The playground's new sign was designed by Freya Gallant, from Attleborough. The seven-year-old won the 'public play areas' category in a competition organised by Breckland Council to encourage the introduction of smoke-free zones in areas used by children.

Thetford was the first town in the district to sign up to the initiative and 'smoke-free' signs will now go up in the town's 13 public play areas.

Breckland executive member for public protection Gordon Bambridge said: 'The aim of our project is not to prevent people from smoking, but to encourage people to smoke more responsibly away from where children congregate.'

Mayor of Thetford Terry Jermy, who backs the project, said: 'Thetford Town Council is very pleased to support this project.

'Children's health is everyone's concern and, whilst this is a voluntary code, I would encourage smokers to get behind this initiative and make every effort not to smoke in or near our play areas.'