POPULAR pub The Red Cat is believed to be among the first rural venues across the borough to outlaw smoking.

The pub, in the village of Crank, has taken steps to ban smoking ahead of new laws, which will be introduced next year. Proprietor Julie Markland took charge of the Red Cat, which has undergone refurbishment, in February. She says customers are no longer prepared "to put with smells or smoke - especially when food's involved".