BAR staff could help measure the benefits of the forthcoming smoking ban after environmental health bosses unveiled plans to carry out lung capacity tests on pub, club and bar workers.

South Lakeland District Council hopes to join forces with hospital staff to carry out on-site checks at venues across the district, to gauge the effect the July 1 ban has on public health.

Environmental health officers unveiled the plans, which would be financed by part of a £42,512 government grant being given to the council in 2007/08 to help plan for, publicise and police the ban, at a meeting of SLDC's cabinet when members agreed promotion of the legislation should be a "top priority".

For full story see the March 16 edition of The Westmorland Gazette.