SMOKERS who visited their usual cafe for a coffee and a cigarette were disappointed yesterday.

Alex Blackham, the owner of the Diner cafe in Darlington's indoor market, made his premises smoke-free for one day yesterday to coincide with No Smoking Day.

With the help of Darlington Borough Council, Mr Blackham put out no smoking information on every table in his cafe.

"I wanted to try to get people used to the idea that a complete ban is coming in July," said Mr Blackham, who acknowledges that many of his regular customers are smokers.

Mr Blackham clearly feels nervous about the potential adverse effect on his business of the ban, which is less than four months away.

But he hopes it will change the way customers use his cafe, which has been operating in different parts of the market hall since the 1940s.

He said: "I am hoping the ban won't dent the business too much. One or two people have decided to go elsewhere today.

"Of course, come July it will be a level playing field because everybody will be in the same situation.

"We do have a high percentage of customers who smoke. We offer decent food at a very competitive price, so people like to eat here."

The Diner's boss thinks that, after the ban is in place, fewer people will linger over a coffee now they will be banned from lighting up.

"I think there will be a faster turnover of customers ... at least that is what I am praying for," he said.

Barry Pearson, environmental health officer with Darlington Borough Council, urged other businesspeople to talk to their customers before the ban comes in.