Demand for smoke-free events and spaces when children are present is high in Wirral, according to a new survey.

Eighty per cent of people in Wirral questioned were supportive of smokefree outdoor events for children and families, with only 10% opposed.

The survey results have been released as a new campaign, Smokefree Summer, launches in Wirral this week.

The campaign is a new initiative running across Cheshire and Merseyside which will see a series of family-friendly events in the area becoming smoke free to protect children by reducing their exposure to smoking behaviour.

The Egremont Festival, on Sunday, August 9, on Egremont Promenade, Wallasey, will be among the first events of the campaign to be smoke-free.

Several others will follow including a "Family Fun Day Old" at the Old Ticket Office, Ferry Road Eastham, on August 8 and August 9, and "Fun in the Park" at Dawstone Park, Heswall, on Saturday, August 29.

Jess Pearce, one of the organisers of the Egremont Festival, said: "The festival was founded on family-friendly values and this campaign is a perfect extension of that.

"We are planning a fantastic day of fun for the entire family with stalls, donkey rides, lots of competitions, attractions and music, including live performances on stage from local people – making sure our environment is safe, healthy and smoke free is absolutely vital.

Councillor Christine Jones, Wirral’s cabinet member for adult social care, said: ‘I am delighted Wirral residents are demanding more smokefree events, especially ones when children are involved.

"As part of Wirral's 2020 Vision, we want our residents to lead healthier lives and this means tackling the terrible harm caused by tobacco.

"Come on mums, dads, grandparents - send the right message to all our children: Stub out the cigarettes and enjoy a Smokefree Summer in Wirral."