One of the longest-established indoor shopping arcades in the region is to ban smoking.

The ban at Dundas Street Shopping, Middlesbrough, to take effect in September, pre-empts a Government ban on smoking in public places that is likely to become law in 2008.

It is seen as a massive boost for Middlesbrough Council's Smoke Less Middlesbrough campaign, backed by Middlesbrough Primary Care Trust (PCT).

Following similar moves by Hillstreet, Captain Cook Square and The Mall, it means Middlesbrough now has four major shopping centres that have banned smoking.

Sue Barnard, a health promotion specialist with Middlesbrough PCT, said: "It's the clearest sign yet that we are all singing from the same hymn sheet - that while we respect people's right to choose to smoke, there are places, for instance where there are children, where smoking should not be tolerated."

The ban will follow a £300,000 refurbishment of the arcade.

A number of shops have already followed the mall's lead and banned smoking on their premises.

However, smoking will be allowed inside three of the mall's cafs, Jean's Caf, The Chelsea Caf and Royals.

"This is not a case of hounding smokers out - we are acting in the best interests of the majority of customers," said mall spokesman Richard Wilson.

"Neither will we be taking a heavy-handed approach.

"The restriction will be well advertised, facilities will be provided at entrances for people to extinguish cigarettes and anyone seen in the mall with a lit cigarette will be asked politely to put it out or to continue smoking it outside."

For more information about giving up smoking, contact the Middlesbrough Stop Smoking Service on free-phone 0800 952 4433.