A BAN on smoking in Bolton's oldest pub received a mixed response after its landlord joined national No Smoking Day.

The Man and Scythe, in Churchgate, which dates back to 1636, was deserted yesterday lunchtime a time when the pub would normally be full of drinkers - and smokers.

Landlord John Jewitt, who is trying to quit his 12 cigars-a day habit, admitted that some of his regulars had boycotted the pub in disgust but new punters came in to support the cigarette ban.

He said: "My takings were just slightly down on an average day so there was no significant difference really.

"There would normally be about 20 drinkers in here at noon and there was no one. On the other hand, some of the regulars that are heavy smokers just came in for one or two drinks and then either went home or elsewhere.

"I had something in the order of about 25 people come in and support me and they made sure that I knew they were there and that they were supporting it.

"It's been interesting but the conclusion is that if the Government wants to get its way and make this work, there would need to be a total ban right across the board in every pub."

The pub is holding no smoking workshops every Monday at 5pm, in conjunction with the no-smoking service Fresh Focus. Four people attended the first session this week.

But it was a different story at The Red Lion at Four Lane Ends, Over Hulton, where No Smoking Day proved a huge success. Landlord Adam Griffiths said: "We were probably busier than usual at lunchtime. We had a few saying they couldn't smoke at work and couldn't smoke here but they stayed and seemed fine about it. We are a family pub and we already have no smoking tables for anyone who dines with children.

"We have asked everyone on the day to fill in questionnaires and, if they are positive, we will ban smoking in the dining area and then consider banning it in the bar in the evenings."

Deborah Smethurst, tobacco control manager for Bolton Primary Care Trust, said the hospitality industry had traditionally been cautious about declaring itself smoke-free because it feared a loss of trade. But evidence from other countries suggests that the opposite might be true.

She said: "Many people, including smokers, opt for a cleaner air, particularly when eating out as a family.

"At our service in Bolton, staff are keen not to bang the big stick of no smoking. Instead, we chose to use the day in a positive way, highlighting the immediate benefits to the health of any person giving up smoking and working with the hospital, health centres, GP surgeries, community centres, pharmacies and now pubs and restaurants."

No Smoking Day is now in its 21st year and is estimated to have helped 1.25 million people to stop smoking since 1983.

Some who supported Mr Jewitt's actions, together with staff from no smoking service Fresh Focus, trekked to the top of Bolton Parish Church Tower to parachute packets of cigarettes from balloons into the graveyard below.

And bolton-based Yates's is offering staff £100 to quit.

Chief executive Mark Jones is paying staff up to £50 this year in return for attending smoking programmes, and a further £50 if they succeed in giving up smoking for a year.

He said: "Our non-smoking areas have become increasingly popular and we wanted to respond to this customer demand, while not alienating those who still choose to smoke. This move also provides our teams with an increasingly attractive environment in which to work."