EAST Lancashire health trusts have been named as national pathfinder sites for the Healthy Living Pharmacy scheme.

Blackburn with Darwen Care Trust Plus and NHS East Lancashire have secured the status as part of the new government initiative, which will give pharmacists a greater role in keeping their community healthy.

It will see pharmacies that are selected as Healthy Living Pharmacies providing more preventative health services such as smoking cessation, weight loss, contraception, sexual health advice and guidance on alcohol consumption.