THE North-East is leading the country in enforcing the ban on smoking in pubs and restaurants, official figures showed yesterday.

More of the region's public places are ensuring nobody lights up - and have put up the correct signs warning of the new rules - than anywhere else in England.

The figures reveal that 99.3 per cent of North-East premises inspected by local authority officials over a two-week period last month had stamped out smoking.

That compares to an average of 97.7 per cent across England - and just 95.5 per cent in Yorkshire, the worst-performing region.

When it comes to putting up "No smoking" signs, 94.2 per cent of North-East public places were found to be "in compliance" by inspectors.

In contrast, just 85.5 per cent had done the same across England, with Yorkshire (86.7 per cent) just above that average.

The figures were welcomed by Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo, who said it backed up the Government's pledge that the ban would be "largely self-enforcing".

Ms Primarolo said: "All the signs are that businesses and the public have taken the new law in their stride.

"Enforcement officers in local authorities, businesses, especially in the hospitality sector, and also the public, have all contributed to making this country a healthier place in which to work and socialise."

And Martin Dockrell, of the campaign group Ash, said: "We knew from opinion polls that the English population supported this ban. Now we can see that support being put into practice."

Across the country, between July 14 and 31, a total of 170 written warnings were issued by local authorities over failures to prevent smoking.

Just six were issued in the North-East and a further 24 in Yorkshire, with the South-East (33) topping the list.

Only one case, in the North-West, has gone to court, suggesting local authorities are heeding ministers' urgings to go "softly softly" in the ban's early days.

Under the Health Act, which came into force on July 1, smokers lighting up in public places can be fined £50 for a first offence, with a maximum £200 punishment for cases that are dragged to court.

Owners of licensed premises will face a maximum fine of £2,500, a sum raised by more than ten times from the original proposal of just £200.

Local council are responsible for enforcing the ban - helped by members of the public who will be encouraged to report offenders on a "shop-a-smoker" hotline.