ALMOST 400 East Lancashire pubs could take their first step towards becoming smoke-free zones by the end of the year after five pub chains agreed to ban smoking at the bar.

Enterprise Inns, Mitchells and Butlers, Punch Pub Company, Scottish and Newcastle Pub Enterprises and the Spirit Group have signed a charter.

The chains, which between them own 22,000 pubs, agreed to the move after consulting customers.

The charter will also see 80 per cent of pub space become non-smoking within five years.

Although the final decision on a smoking policy will ultimately be left to individual licensees, the news was today welcomed by MPs and health experts.

Dr Stephen Morton, director of the East Lancashire Public Health Network, said: "Pub staff are exposed to excessive levels of secondary tobacco smoke. There is overwhelming medical evidence that this increases the risk of health problems.

"We would like to see a complete ban on smoking eventually but this small step is obviously very welcome." However, Derek Howarth, landlord of the Fox and Hounds, Ewood, and ex-chairman and member of the Licensed Victuallers' Association, said: "I don't think that there can be a total ban but what I do see is a move to having a designated smoking area and banning it at the bar."

Only a handful of East Lancashire pubs and restaurants are smoke-free. One which has been for three years is the Accrington Pride, Blackburn Road, Accrington. Manager Leon Pilkington, 35, said: "We are non-smokers and thought it was a shame that non-smokers couldn't go out and enjoy themselves in a smoke-free atmosphere. We have noticed it does affect business but if all pubs were the same it would be a different story. We would really welcome the policy."

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope, a former 20-a-day man who gave up three years ago said: "I think even smokers realise a ban on smoking in public places is on the way.

"I smoked for many years but I am not a zealot on the issue. I am not in favour of a total ban at the moment but I think this idea is strictly marking out where you can smoke and can't is a good idea."

A spokesman for pro-smoking group FOREST said: "It appears pubs will still offer choice, which is good, but we would oppose an all-out ban."

Other venues in East Lancashire that are already smoke-free are, Sainsbury's Coffee Shop, Active Way, Burnley and The Artisan Cafe, Brook Street, Rawtenstall.

In East Lancashire, Enterprise Inns are making the changes in 27 pubs; Punch Taverns, 270; Spirit Group, three; Mitchell's and Butlers, six; and Scottish and Newcastle, 60-70.