MORE than half of Morecambe Bay people want to see a ban on smoking in public places.

That's the claim of the Tobacco Alliance following an opinion poll of locals.

Sixty seven per cent of people questioned would like smoking banned in restaurants and cafes, says the alliance.

The survey was conducted on No Smoking Day in March this year and saw 397 people across the Bay area interviewed as part of one of the UK's biggest ever consultation exercises on a public health issue.

A total of 14,222 people across the North West took part in the debate.

Results out this week indicate that 80 per cent of North West residents would support legislation to ban smoking in public places.

Jacqui Thompson, public development manager with Morecambe Bay Primary Care Trust, says: "The Big Smoke Debate results demonstrate that there is a strong desire across the bay and the North West region to see smoke free work and public places.

"A smoke free society would allow everyone to enjoy the advantages of breathing air free of tobacco smoke pollution."