AN anti-smoking award created in memory of Scholes-born entertainer Roy Castle has cele- brated its first anniversary.

The National Clean Air Award was established by the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation in March last year.

It rewards employers who have effective no-smoking policies in the workplace.

It is the first and only UK-wide scheme to offer guidance to employers who want to protect their staff from passive smoking.

Roy Castle died 10 years ago at the age of 62, from lung cancer caused by passive smoking. He had spent his career dancing and playing the trumpet in smoky pubs and clubs.

In the past 12 months, more than 600 organisations have qualified for the Clean Air Award.

It is also being promoted by 95 NHS primary care trusts and councils across the UK.

Lord Faulkner of Worcester, a trustee of the foundation, held a cele- bratory event to mark the Clean Air Award's first birthday.

He said: "This event recognised the excellent actions taken by socially- aware employers who hold the award."

Guests at the event - at the House of Lords - included award-holders from across the country, plus members of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and the Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation charities.

Representatives of the award's sponsors - SmokeFree Liverpool, Glaxo- SmithKline, Novartis and Pfizer - were also present.