A pub landlord plans to ban smoking - before the Government makes him.

Nigel Stevens, owner of The Wyvill Arms, in Constable Burton, near Leyburn, North Yorkshire, says the move will be good for the health of his staff - and good for his business.

The publican took the decision after hearing Health Secretary John Reid's plans to ban smoking in all licensed premises selling food by 2008. "Eventually the ban is going to happen to everybody, so we may as well get in there first and make the most of it," said Mr Stevens.

The landlord accepts the move is a risk, but says his staff are already turning away diners wanting a non-smoking table when his non-smoking dining room is full.

"We're now totally committed to food and today's discerning diner doesn't want to eat in a smoky environment.

"And it's a bad job if a smoker can't go for an hour and a half without a cigarette while enjoying a good meal and a couple of pints," he added. The ban, which will come into force on March 1 after the Christmas party season, has gone down well with his staff.

Waitress Lisa Stockdale, 18, said: "I hate going home stinking of smoke and I do worry about how it's affecting my health.

"People could say it's my choice to work in a pub, but job opportunities are few and far between around here and that choice is limited."

Smoker and Wyvill regular Sue Robinson, of Redmire, is also not concerned about the ban.

"It's a nice place to go and eat and it's good food - it won't bother me very much," she said.

"My husband William might not be too happy though - he thinks people should be able to do what they want, where they want."

Several other pubs in the North-East and North Yorkshire have already taken the plunge and banned smoking.

The Middleton Arms, in Middleton, near Pickering, North Yorkshire, reopened as a smoke-free establishment 18-months-ago.

"It was a quite scary step but it's worked for us," said landlady Jayne Wells.

"And we now find people coming for a drink who maybe wouldn't normally visit a pub because of the smoke."