SMOKERS continued to defy the ban yesterday with dozens of them lighting up in Barristers, in Bradshawgate, Bolton.

Barristers is run by landlord Nick Hogan who also runs The Swan pub, in Churchgate, where a protest against the smoking ban was held on Sunday.

John Patel, aged 34, from Halliwell, has been smoking for the last 20 years and is also determined to defy the ban.

He said: "I would happily smoke and then have to pay the fine. I want to stand up for what I believe in. The ban is completely ridiculous."

Robert Byrne, aged 42, has smoked for 16 years and is furious about the ban. He has vowed to defend his case in court if he is handed a fixed penalty notice. Mr Byrne said: "It's terrible, it's taking people's civil liberties away. Both my grandfathers fought in World War Two and I can't believe they could be thrown out of a pub and fined if they light up.

"I'm prepared to go to court and defend myself if I'm slapped me with a fine. They can throw me in prison at a cost of about 1,000 a week to the tax payer, where at least I'll be able to have a cigarette."

Dennis Marshall, aged 58, who lives in Bolton town centre, has smoked for 45 years and now puffs away on a pipe.

Now retired, Mr Marshall enjoys a smoke along with a couple of pints every lunch time and is completely against the ban.

He said: "I don't come out at night. Just for a few pints and to read the paper every lunch time and I enjoy smoking my pipe when I do that.

"I think it's completely wrong that the Government want to force people to smoke in the outside, especially when it's pouring with rain.

"People should be given the choice and there should be smoking and non-smoking."