BOSSES at the Arndale Centre in Accrington have officially banned smoking.

The centre, which opened more than 15 years ago, has always allowed smoking within the centre, except in service areas and car parks.

But from Tuesday, May 4, a centre-wide ban will come into force, stopping everyone from customers, staff, and delivery drivers, from lighting up.

The move has split smokers, but has been welcomed by no-smoking lobby groups.

David Jones, centre manager, said: "The current smoking policy has been in place since the Arndale Centre opened in October 1987 and it was felt the time was right to review the situation. For health reasons and the comfort of customers and staff it was decided to ban smoking from all common areas including the mall, car park, service areas, toilets and lifts.

But one shopper thought that smoking should be down to choice, and some areas should be left as they are.

Eleanor Dudley, 68, of Accrington, said: "I presumed we would still be able to smoke in cafes. I would rather it was down to our choice."

But smoker Graham Phoenix, 46, from Accrington, said the ban was a good idea, especially around food.

He said: "I agree with a smoking ban. If you're sitting eating, you wouldn't want smoke, but everyone sits round at the cafe and smokes."

Councillor Peter Britcliffe, leader of Hyndburn Borough Council and chair of the town centre regeneration board, said: "The Arndale Centre are an independent company and entitled to take actions they wish."

Anti-smoking campaigners Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) are pushing for a ban in all public places. They welcomed the news that the Arndale Centre was taking the step.

A spokesman said: "Passive smoking causes several diseases, and 1,000 people die every year from passive smoking diseases. It's a major public health problem."