GUESTS at a Lake District pub will be getting a lungful of fell top fresh air after its owner took the brave step of banning smoking inside the building, reports Ruth Lythe.

Nicotine fiends visiting The White Hart Pub at Bouth, near Greenodd, have been asked to take their habit outside, following a smoking ban imposed by owner and landlord, Nigel Barton.

The White Hart has been featured in The Good Pub Guide and is believed to be the first pub to go smoke free within The Lake District National Park, although several landlords have done the same in Cumbria.

"I could talk forever about why I decided to ban smoking," explained Mr Barton. "My mother was a big smoker who died of a smoking related disease. We also have the problem of low ceilings at the pub meaning it is difficult to control the smoking area.

"I first thought about it about 18 months ago because I believed that a ban was going to come in as law eventually. Another reason why I chose the ban is because of the fact that I have young staff. If they are 16-years-old why should they have to breathe in smoke as well?"

Since Mr Barton, 42, showed smokers the door, he says that business "is no worse than before," although he admitted that taking such a bold step could be a gamble for other landlords.

"I have had so much good feedback. People from out of Windermere and Bowness have told me that they wish they had something like this near them. The regulars who like to smoke still come, just not as frequently as before and people seem to feel more comfortable about bringing their children.

"It is definitely a nicer place to work, my clothes don't smell of smoke anymore. It is certainly the way to go although I could see that whether you want to go smoke free depends on where you are located," he said.

Ian Willmore, spokesman for ASH (Action on Smoking and Health), praised Mr Barton's decision. He said: "We are delighted that The White Hart is leading the way towards a smoke free pubs. We think that this is the way forward in the future and we wish them well."