Train firm bans platform smoking

Midland Mainline runs services to and from London

A train firm will mark the start of the new year by introducing a blanket ban on smoking.

Midland Mainline said staff areas as well as platforms would be smoke-free from midnight on 31 December.

The operator, which runs trains from Sheffield to London through the East Midlands, banned smoking on its trains in 2002.

Midland Mainline managing director Garry Raven said he was "leading from the front" by quitting for good.

He said: "We will be providing support and advice for all staff who would like to use this as an opportunity to quit smoking.

"I thought I'd lead from the front and give everyone a head start, so decided three weeks ago to stop myself.

"We believe the new legislation provides the impetus for a vastly improved environment for our staff and customers."

The decision to ban smoking on platforms was made as legislation is expected in 2007 to prohibit smoking in enclosed public places in England.