Donna Stevens has been threatened with prosecution if members at Fishwick Ramblers Working Men's Club light up again.

She has been hit with a final warning letter amid threats by council bosses that it is the "final stage before prosecution".

But Ms Stevens, boss of the Mornington Road club, has hit back, saying pubs and members clubs are being crippled by the ban which came into force in July last year.

She said a few members "taking the Mick" in February was to blame for her being hauled before council officials.

The manager said: "A council official came in just as we were sorting the situation out with the members who had been smoking but he was not interested in any explanations and called me for an interview.

"I know the law is the law but my view is that we are a members only club and if people do not like people smoking, they do not have to become a member.

"We are suffering the effects of the ban like everyone else, no-one likes standing outside in the cold during the winter but hopefully that will improve in the summer when the weather gets better."

Preston Council said two people were issued with £50 fixed penalties since the ban – which prohibits smoking in public places – came into force.

A council spokesman said: "On the whole Preston has responded very well to the smoke free legislation with most premises now operating as smoke free. This is reflected in the low level of enforcement notices and fixed penalties which we have had to issue."

A spokesman for South Ribble Council said the authority had issued two fixed penalties and "several warning letters".

She said: "Our emphasis in the first few months has been in contacting and educating employers. Now that's been in position for a few months, we are turning towards enforcement.

"I would expect the number to rise in the next few months unless everybody is being good."

Fylde Council said the authority had "only issued several warnings" while Chorley Council is taking legal action against a non-payment of a fine.

Elspeth Lee, Cancer Research UK's head of tobacco control, said: "The legislation was introduced to protect workers and the public from secondhand smoke. Research shows the health of bar workers has improved dramatically."

Blackpool landlord Hamish Howitt was the first publican in England to be convicted for breaching smoking ban legislation last November.

The Happy Scots Bar owner recently failed to overturn the ruling using human rights law.

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