A PUB landlord called time on smokers last night as part of National No Smoking Day.

At 9pm last night Ernie Chapman, landlord of the Maynard Arms, in Carlin How, in east Cleveland, declared the pub to be a smoke-free zone for one hour.

Punters cashed in their cigarettes for sponsorship and a donation to the village's Christmas Lights appeal.

It was all part of a healthy day at the pub, hosted by Sure Start East Cleveland, the Government-funded initiative usually aimed at giving the under fours a good start in life.

Programme manager Julie Conner said: "Youngsters naturally take their lead from mums and dads and if they accept the need for a healthy lifestyle, the knock-on effects will be marvellous for everyone in the community."

Mr Chapman is already a convert and organised a healthy food buffet and a health quiz and his wife, June, quit her 20-a-day habit after smoking for more than 40 years. Mr Chapman said he thought the scheme was a good idea.

"We've probably got less than 50 smokers in the pub now, around ten in the bar have stopped over the last few months. It's to do with cost, but it's your health that's most important and I think the message is getting home."