A 20-a-day landlord has banned smoking from his city centre pub - upsetting a few regulars along the way.

The main bar area in the Golden Fleece, Pavement, York, has been made non-smoking and landlord Andy Yuill is convinced that the move is "the way forward".

"It is quite a brave step and a bit of a risk," said Andy, who has worked at the Spread Eagle and Fibbers in York.

"A lot of customers had made it clear they don't like eating in a smoky atmosphere, so we have taken this big step."

Smoking is permitted in the smaller bar by the entrance to the historical bar, but banned in the main area. Smoking in the beer garden is allowed, although no ashtrays are provided.

A key part of the pub's business is the 400 meals a day it serves and the majority of people would rather eat their meals free from the smoky atmosphere found in most busy watering holes.

"Unfortunately, not all the regulars are particularly happy about it," said Andy, 32, who cited reformed smokers as the most anti-smoking group.

"But we have had a generally positive response from the majority of customers.

"It was a risk, but I think it will pay off - we are a pub trying to keep up with the changing times."

Although Andy has concerns that in the tourist-free winter months there may not be as strong a demand for the no-smoking section, many drinkers at the pub are pleased with the change.

Bernice Newell ate a meal in the non-smoking section with her non-smoking daughter before moving up to the main bar for a fag.

"I don't have a problem with it at all," she said.

"It is quite a good idea and quite brave."

Casual smoker Benji Merrison, 23, said: "I enjoy a smoke once in a while, but I wouldn't want to impose it on other people.

"I think it would encourage me to smoke less, because I wouldn't want to make the effort to walk up to the other end of the bar to get a fag.

"It is a novel idea from a pub - I like it."