RESEARCH has been undertaken by a council to gauge how popular a ban on smoking in public places would be.

Chester-le-Street District Council, in County Durham, is bidding to become the first smoke-free zone in Britain.

The move follows Government plans to allow authorities to ban the habit in public.

Councillor Geoff Armstrong said: "We need to consider the views of residents, and if they do not want it, then we will not do it."

The council's environmental health department was asked to identify premises where a successful no-smoking policy had been adopted.

Research found that only one pub had banned smoking, while it was more widespread in shopping centres.

The pub manager reported a significant loss of regular drinkers as a result of the ban.

Council environmental health officer Paul Jenkins said: "Only a very small minority of public houses would appear to be suitable for no-smoking status."

Two shopping centres were selected to investigate the effect of no-smoking policies in shops. A survey undertaken before the implementation of the ban at The Galleries, in Washington, Wearside, found that 97 per cent of the public were in favour.

Meanwhile, council chiefs in Newcastle are seeking by-laws to stop people smoking in Eldon Square.