DRINKERS who flout the smoking ban in pubs could be barred from a network of licensed premises for up to a year.

The warning comes from Trimdon and Fishburn Pubwatch and applies to all pubs in Fishburn and the Trimdons.

Gordon Wright, landlord of the Red Lion, Trimdon, and chairman of the Trimdon and Fishburn Pubwatch scheme, said: "There was a landlady who was threatened and verbally abused because she asked someone to extinguish their cigarette.

"This person was simply asked to leave and smoke outside, but after that kind of reaction, we decided to put it into the constitution."

The smoking ban came into force on July 1 and some traders have reported falling profits.

Mr Wright said that the smoking ban had affected business but that there were other factors.

"When the weather is the way it is right now, it doesn't help and there is also competition from the supermarkets and people staying at home, but pubs that have prepared for the ban are obviously doing better," he said.

"We occasionally get people who genuinely forget.

"They've been coming down the pub and smoking for 40 years and it can genuinely slip. Obviously we can just remind people like that and that's the end of it."

The Red Lion was the first pub in Sedgefield to voluntarily introduce a smoking ban four years ago.

In 2005, Mr Wright was presented with a Gold National Clean Air Award from former Prime Minister and Sedgefield MP Tony Blair.

Pubwatch is backed by the police and Sedgefield Borough Council.

PC John Seymour, beat officer for Trimdon, said: "Following a meeting held with licensees, it was decided that should any persons smoke or attempt to smoke on licensed premises, then they will be barred for a period of three to 12 months.

"The length of each ban will be determined at monthly meetings held with licensees, police and Sedgefield Borough Council licensing authority.

"Persons found committing this offence may also receive a penalty notice incurring a fine."