Swindon Academy staff are looking to quit smoking after our expose yesterday.

A number of staff, including teachers, were caught by the Adver puffing away on cigarettes in full view of two pupils in uniform just yards from the new £34m Pinehurst school last week.

Residents were also getting fed up of academy staff smoking in nearby alleyways and leaving their fag ends for them to clear away.

Mother-of-three Victoria Dimino, of Beech Avenue, who has cleared away hundreds discarded cigarette butts near her house, said staff are setting a bad example to kids.

But another mother, who does not want to be named, had sprung to their defence, saying pupils and even some parents regularly smoke outside the school gates.

Last night a spokeswoman for the Swindon Academy said: “Following this being brought to our attention last week, a number of staff have expressed a desire to give up smoking.

“We will now be looking to work with the NHS on a workplace scheme that helps our staff quit.”

The academy said they did not want to comment on the allegation of underage pupils smoking near the school.

A mother-of-one, who wants to remain anonymous, thinks staff who don’t kick the habit should either be given a smoking shelter on site or smoke well away from the school.

The 24-year-old said: “Teachers and other staff giving up smoking sets the right example. Who knows this might turn a few heads and pupils might follow.

“It is a good school and teachers and other staff are doing a good job. They’ve just made a mistake on this occasion.”