WARRINGTON Wolves captain Lee Briers has spoken for the first time about losing his brother to cancer.

He hopes that it will highlight the dangers of cigarettes before National No Smoking Day on March 10.

Backing Warrington Primary Care Trust's smoking awareness campaign, the 25-year-old sportsman spoke movingly about his brother, Brian, and told how he had himself given up smoking after his brother had been diagnosed.

Lee, a father of two young children, said: "As soon as I knew he had cancer, I stopped smoking straight away.

"I haven't had a cigarette since. It was the easiest way to stop smoking - but the hardest too."

Lee's brother, Brian, himself a social smoker, discovered he had testicular cancer three years ago aged just 34. Five weeks later he died.

Lee, who lives in St Helens with his fiancee, Vicky Hall, 26, and their two children Sophie, six, and nine-month-old Reece, said: "It was such a massive shock. It is such a big hole in my life and my family's. It was so out of the blue.

"We were told he had an 80% chance of recovering. He had some chemotherapy, but fell ill and went back to hospital.

"We had a telephone call at 6am one morning and were told he had taken a turn for the worst. He had passed away by the time we got to the hospital.

"I was really close to him - we are a close family. One of the hardest things to come to terms with is that I never had the chance to say goodbye."

Despite being a top athlete, Lee himself was a smoker until his brother discovered he had cancer. "I had my first cigarette when I was 10 with friends who were older than me.

"It became a habit when I was 16 when I started smoking more heavily with my school friends. I didn't like it, but kept going - I suppose because I was addicted. We smoked because we had a child-like mentality to follow the leader

"I would really like to get the message across to kids that it is not cool to smoke. I'd like to tell them not to be fooled by your mates saying: 'Try this'. That's how most people start. But all you are doing is killing yourself."

Just days after the death of his brother in April 2001, Lee was back on the rugby pitch. With one minute's silence before kick-off, Lee dedicated the game to his brother. "It was a release for me," he said. "My friends at the club helped me through it, as did the Wolves supporters.

"My brother's death also brought the family closer together. The whole family talks about him all the time. We are very proud of him. He was such a kind, generous person. We miss him dreadfully."

One of the most assured players in Super League, Lee joined Warrington Wolves in 1997 and became captain in 2002.

He will urge smokers to quit when he speaks at an event at the new Wolves stadium on Wednesday for No Smoking Day.

Speakers also include public health experts and ex-smokers. Pupils at Sir Thomas Boteler School Youth Action Group will also present a short play. Anyone who would like to attend the event should call Sally Farrer, Warrington PCT's assistant director of health improvement on 01925 843712.

Lee said: "Warrington Primary Care Trust's Stop Smoking Service has one of the best success rates in the country. It's No Smoking Day on March 10 and I would urge anyone who is thinking of quitting to do so."

He also urged men to be aware of testicular cancer and to check themselves regularly. "I am much more aware these days and do self examine regularly.

"I thought it was something that would never happen to my family - but it did."