NEW smoking laws have forced the closure of a smokers-only haven - even though it's 30 yards away from any other building.

Since 2004, customers wanting a cigarette at the Three Fishes in Mitton, near Whalley, have been able to smoke in the relative comfort of stone shelter next to the car park.

But the smoking ban, which comes into force on July 1, prohibits people from lighting up in any building or shelter with more than two enclosed sides.

And while the owners of the restaurant said they were happy to go along with legislation, pro-smoking groups said it was an example of petty bureaucracy'.

The smoking ban is designed to cut the risk posed by passive smoking and means lighting up in a bus shelter with three sides also will soon be illegal.

Neil Rafferty, of FOREST, the Freedom Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco, branded the rule ridiculous'.

And he said: "In this case it does seem daft because it is for smokers only, no one else is going to be using it but smokers.

"The publican has made an effort to keep his customers happy yet they have to do this.

"This is not just victimising smokers but small businesses as well."

Craig Bancroft, who owns the Three Fishes and Northcote Manor along with Nigel Haworth, said it would have been to costly to convert the shelter in time to comply with the ban.

He said: "We are now completely no smoking.

"We made The Three Fishes no smoking from the day it open three years ago and it's probably improved things.

"Families with children do not want passive smoking and even if you are a smoker they prefer to dine in a no-smoking restaurant.

"The shelter has had its signs taken off it. We couldn't get planning permission in time to comply with the introduction of the ban so we took the decision to stop it all together.

"People can smoke out-side in the open air if they want to, it's going to be up to the client. There is already an ashtray at the door that's always been there for people who have had a cigarette before coming in to the place.

"I think smokers understand the reasons behind the ban and for places like Northcote Manor that are providing gastronomic excellence you don't want anything to detract from that."

Mr Bancroft said he had been on holiday to Ireland for the last three years and found it a delight to walk into a pub and not find it filled with smoke.

"The ban will have an affect on drinking bars that are not food-led but everyone will cope," he added.