COUNCIL officials and two North-East bus companies are teaming up to crackdown on smoking in bus stations.

Durham County Council, Arriva and Go North East are launching a campaign to send out a message that smoking will not be tolerated in bus stations in County Durham.

As part of the initiative, which runs until February, Public Protection Officers and Neighbourhood Wardens will be visiting stations at Durham, Consett, Stanley, Peterlee and Bishop Auckland and issuing fines to anyone caught smoking.

Since 2007, almost all indoor public places and workplaces, including vehicles, have been required, by law, to be smoke free.

Smoking is also prohibited in all enclosed or 'substantially enclosed' public places and workplaces, including bus stations.

A recent county council survey at some of County Durham’s bus stations indicated that more than 71 per cent of those questioned had seen people smoking in or around the sites.

Arriva and Go North East are supporting the campaign by spreading the message among their staff, especially those who work in county stations.

Joanne Waller, the county council’s head of environment, health and consumer protection, said: “Smoking in bus stations is illegal and yet some people continue to do it.

“It is a health hazard and a nuisance to other station users and we will be taking action against anyone we catch flouting the law.”