COUNCIL bosses under fire for their strict no smoking policy say health is their top priority.

Plans by Chester-le-Street District Council to force workers to ask permission every time they wanted a cigarette had provoked outrage and ridicule among objectors.

But councillors voted to implement a total ban on smoking in or around council buildings that gave individual managers no discretion on who smoked and when.

Unison, which represents public sector workers, initially favoured a system that let workers use a swipe card to register when they go out for a smoke, but now say it backs the council's decision.

Council chief executive Tony Greensmith says it is a health issue, not a staff issue. He said: "We thought that, as the biggest employer in the district, the onus is on us to lead by example on health matters.

"In making this decision we have simply reaffirmed the existing ban which, in a way, is rapping the knuckles of senior managers, myself included, who haven't been as vigilant in enforcing the ban as they perhaps should have been.

"We have also put together a package of support with the NHS that helps people who have a smoking problem.

"The last thing we are here is autocrats - but we do have certain duties to our employees. We cannot force people to kick the habit but, as an employer, we can provide mechanisms where they get support."

A vote during Thursday night's meeting of the executive, at the civic centre, saw members choose an absolute ban that included consistent disciplinary action if anyone is caught having a crafty smoke.

Pauline Hanna, the council's Unison representative, said: "With a total ban across the board, everyone knows where they stand.

"I haven't had one member come up to me and say they disagree with the decision.