A PUB is supporting a charity campaign to end smoking in the workplace by becoming a smoke-free zone from today.

Damon Gray, manager of The Plimsole Line, in High Street East, Redcar, said: "We are having a major refit which will include new carpets and upholstery to banish the smell of smoke."

The North-East has the highest rate of lung cancer in England. Each year there are nearly 2,500 cases in the region.

Last November, the Government announced plans to end smoking in all workplaces and enclosed public places by 2008.

However, pubs that do not serve prepared food and private members' clubs are exempt.

Yesterday, staff from The Plimsoll Line signed Cancer Research UK's petition to ban smoking in all workplaces, which will be delivered to Downing Street at the end of the month

The pub chain Wetherspoons, which owns The Plimsoll Line, has already made many of its pubs smoke-free and is backing the Government's plans.

Cancer Research UK is calling on the public to join it in lobbying the Government to remove the exemptions, which would apply to about 11,000 pubs and up to 20,000 private members' clubs.

Julia Haran, Cancer Research UK spokeswoman, said: "The Government proposals are a step in the right direction, but we need your help to ensure everyone has an equal right to breathe clean air at work."

Anyone who would like to support the campaign by Cancer Research can sign an online petition at www.campaigns.org.uk