UNDERCOVER inspectors will be employed to ensure compliance with the impending smoking ban.

Darlington Borough Council officers, rather than police, will enforce the law, which comes into force on Sunday, July 1.

The law bans smoking in any public place - including pubs, workplaces, and work vehicles.

Proposed policy - likely to be approved by the council's cabinet next week - includes covert observation by council officers.

A report to the cabinet states that officers can announce themselves after their secret inspection - or leave and write to the premises the next day. Inspections will be made both before and after a complaint has been received from members of the public.

Officers will have the power to issue fixed-penalty notices to premises which do not prevent smoking, and to smokers who ignore the ban.

Other offences include failing to display no-smoking signs, and obstructing an officer.

Officers can also seek prosecution - although that is only expected as a last resort, or where there has been "blatant disregard" for the law. Priority for inspection will be for premises where people have traditionally smoked, where large numbers of people work, and where complaints have been received.

Staff will be trained to ensure consistency in enforcement standards.

The council has also hired a £40,000 a year "healthy workplace officer" to oversee compliance with the new law.

The officer, who has an 18-month contract, is being funded by central Government. There will also be a small amount spent on promotion. The council believes that the ban will be respected without tough enforcement.

The report states: "Based on the experiences of enforcement authorities in Ireland and Scotland, it is anticipated that there will be public support for the smoke-free laws, and early compliance in most premises will be achieved through self-regulation.

"The ethos for enforcement is that individuals and businesses should be assisted, where possible, and educated, where necessary, to achieve compliance."

The cabinet is expected to approve the report at a meeting on Tuesday.