A SMOKING ban will be tested in a York pub before being rolled out across the country.

The Postern Gate pub in Picadilly will be one of the first Wetherspoon pubs in Britain to be completely smoke-free.

Pub giant Wetherspoon announced yesterday that smoking in all of its 650 outlets would be banned by May 2006.

Before then the new rules will be tested in a small number of pubs, including The Postern Gate - three years ahead of the Government's anti-smoking legislation.

By May this year, drinkers will not be allowed to smoke anywhere in the pub.

Manager Paula Pidd welcomed the move.

She said: "The company is trialling the ban in 60 of its pubs a year early, and we've been chosen as one of them.

"Half of the pub is already no smoking, but that's not the same as a full ban.

"From May there will be a much cleaner atmosphere for all our customers - and of course it's only right for our staff who don't smoke.

"I'll be putting up posters in April to remind people about the change, but I'm sure this isn't going to drive anyone away.

"I, for one, am really looking forward to it."

The other Wetherspoon pub in York, The Punchbowl in Blossom Street, will be smoke-free from May 2006.

Licensee of The Punchbowl, Ian Hyam, said he was looking forward to the ban. He said: "I think this is a great idea, and I definitely welcome it.

"Smoking is bad for you. People get ill and die from it. Smoking in pubs just isn't fair on people who don't smoke.

"Even though we already do have a no smoking area and a no smoking at the bar policy, it can drift.

"The ban will create a better environment for all our customers and our staff.

"I'm a smoker myself - but now there is an extra incentive for me to give up before May 2006."

Last year, the Blue Bell Country Inn, near Easingwold, became the first in the region to impose a total smoking ban.

Landlord Mike Anson said the decision, which came into force in November, had proved popular with diners at the Alne inn.

Evening Press readers overwhelmingly supported the decision, with 74.5 per cent voting in favour of a ban in smoking in pubs.

Bar and restaurant manager Davey Passman said: "The no smoking policy is still very popular with our customers, and trade seems to have increased slightly because of it.

"The reaction is still very positive.

"There's a definite trend towards smoking bans coming in throughout the industry, especially in pubs that serve food - and that can only be a good thing."

Updated: 10:14 Tuesday, January 25, 2005