A CAFE which has banned non-smokers from sitting outside, in revenge at the ban on lighting up in public, has been inundated with support.

But other cutomers have begun boycotting CJ's cafe in Duckworth Street, Darwen, in protest at the move.

Joint owners Jacqueline Hartley-Barnes and Chris-tine Hartley-Pickup, both 58, started their policy in protest at the nationwide ban on smokers puffing away inside public places such as cafes, bars and restaurants.

They tell non-smokers to either go inside the cafe or leave, although no- smokers can sit outside if they are accompanied by a smoker.

The twin sisters said their loyal customers - both smokers and non-smokers - have supported the protest by the smokers, who both enjoyed their first cigarettes at 13 years old.

Christine said they had received a lot of support and said after reading about the policy, a couple headed straight down to CJ's: "A couple came in on Saturday and he said he had seen us in the Lancashire Telegraph and said to his wife 'lets go down and have a cigarette'.

"You are going to get some people that don't agree with it but generally everything has been positive and anyway we are always busy.

"We have had a lot of comments, people have been saying 'you've got to stand up for your rights' and we have had a positive reaction from both sides because we are trying to accommodate everyone."

If a non-smoker sits outside, the sisters ask them to sit inside and if they refuse they have to leave unless they are accompanied by a smoker.

The policy sparked more than 150 comments on the Lancashire Telegraph's website over the weekend with many smokers and non-smokers applauding them although one reader said he will never go there again.