Pub bans smoking six months early

A pub landlord is to force drinkers to stub out six months ahead of a national smoking ban in public places.

Paul Rothwell, of the Three Greyhounds pub in Great Asby near Appleby, will call time on smoking in his pub in the early hours of New Year's Day.

Mr Rothwell, who runs the pub with his wife Julie, said he would throw out ashtrays just after midnight.

Paul Saager, of Eden District Council, welcomed the move and said he hoped other pubs would do the same.

Mr Rothwell said: "I'll let my customers smoke their last cigarettes around midnight then the ashtrays will be dumped.

"I've decided to do this because the ban is coming in on 1 July anyway.

"I know that many of my customers who smoke want to give up and this gives them the chance to do it in the traditional way - as a New Year's resolution.

"I believe the vast majority of my regulars are happy and fully behind what I'm doing and see it as a positive move."