SMOKERS were able to enjoy a cigarette for the first time since the smoking ban at half-time during Tuesday night’s match between Blackburn Rovers and Brentford.

And the club has confirmed the trial was a success and will be expanded as the season continues.

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Five minutes before half-time in the Championship clash, supporters were allowed to exit via doors at the back of the Bryan Douglas Darwen End.

A section of open-air concourse remained enclosed and supporters were not allowed to leave or enter it from outside.

The enclosure was closed on the resumption of play for the second half.

A club spokesman said: “Following concerns surrounding the issues of smoking in the concourse areas at home matches, the club trialled a half-time smoking area during the home fixture against Brentford on Tuesday evening.

“The trial worked very well and subject to agreement from the relevant authorities, we hope to roll it out in other areas by the end of the season.”

The move came after requests from Blackburn Rovers supporters and talks with director of communications Alan Myers.

Chairman of the Blackburn Rovers Fans Forum John Wareing said it was a welcome move.

He said: “It is good for both smokers and non-smokers.

“Some smokers were nipping to the toilets for a cigarette so we were getting complaints from non-smokers that the toilets stunk of smoke.

“And there were complaints from families because they couldn’t get in the cubicles because someone was in there smoking, so it is good for everybody.

“My understanding is that it will be trialled in the Blackburn End as well for the rest of the season and then they will take it from there.

“That is good because then the people who want to go to games and have a smoke know where to buy tickets.”

Smoking in the stands is banned at Ewood Park, including the use of electronic cigarettes, and those caught can be thrown out of the ground.

In 2012, in conjunction with sponsor Totally Wicked, Burnley FC launched ‘vaping zones’ around its Turf Moor stadium allowing people to smoke without affecting others.