Bradford Council has been given £290,000 by the Government to enforce the smoking ban.

John Major, head of the Council's environmental health service said: "The money is being spent over the next two years to effectively enforce the ban and subsequent environmental problems that arise from it such as smoking litter and noise nuisance.

"We have trained 20 of our staff who have been providing help and advice to businesses across the district for the past few months leading up to the July 1 smoking ban and will continue to assist them.

"From Monday they will be going out to pubs, clubs and businesses in Bradford, Shipley, Keighley and Ilkley town centres and the suburbs to check smokers are stubbing it out and complying with the new legislation.

"Initially we will offer advice and guidance to help landlords and business owners meet their responsibilities. Where they continue to flout the law, we will issue verbal and written warnings and persistent offenders can be fined up to £2,500."

The Council is relying on the public to help them ensure people are not smoking inside a public space. Anyone wishing to report premises where the law is being flouted can call (01274) 433928.