A STOP-smoking pledge proved not to be a real drag for three work colleagues raising money for charity.

Pauline Forman (26), of Orchid Drive, Bury was striving to kick her 20-a-day habit. So, together with Nicky Thornley and Neil Beverley, she decided to give up for a month and they raised £900 for Christie Hospital in the process.

"Our workmates at Your Communications were brilliant," said Nicky, from Bolton." As well as sponsoring us, they put up with our bad moods and short tempers."

The trio nibbled on peanuts, fruit and carrots to beat nicotine cravings but still managed to put on weight.

Only Neil managed to stop smoking completely, but the women's resolve didn't entirely go up in smoke. Nicky and Pauline are down to three or four cigarettes a day and still intend to give them up totally.

Nicky said: "All three of us have been touched by cancer through our families, so the will was there. It just proved very hard to do."

Jacky Plant, Regional Appeals Officer for Christie's said: "The money has gone to help vital research into adult leukaemia. We are very proud of people who raise money for Christie's and can't thank them enough."