Smokers are to be banned from lighting up in a Bradford market as health bosses push for more cigarette free zones.

From March 10 - National No Smoking Day - will be banned at Bradford's indoor Kirkgate Market.

Traders have backed the move and although smokers will still be able to light up in the market's cafes they will not be able to smoke in the aisles.

News of the ban at the Bradford Council-run market coincides with news that the Government could give local authorities the power to outlaw smoking in all public places.

A paper outlining the measure is to be released this spring with legislation to follow later in the year.

From March 10 anyone spotted lighting up in Kirkgate Market will be asked to put it out but, until by-laws are introduced the Council will have no legal powers to take more action if smokers refuse.

A Council spokesman said: "This brings the market into line with the no smoking policy already in force in Kirkgate Shopping Centre.

"The change is being made in response to requests from market tenants and with their full agreement."

In 2001 the Kirkgate shopping complex introduced a total ban on smoking in all its mall-areas including the cafes. Centre manager Catherine Riley said: "We've proved it's possible to ban smoking in public spaces and we highly recommend it."

Dianne Woodall, smoking project worker for Bradford District Health Promotion Service, said: "I'm hoping this is just the start and after Kirkgate, the other indoor markets will be next and other public places will follow on."

But she said pubs were still proving a challenge with not one single no-smoking pub in the city.

Chairman of Bradford Inner City Licensees Association Dean Loynes said only a complete blanket ban on smoking in pubs would work.

Elsewhere in Bradford, smoking will be banned from most of Bradford Interchange from Spring, It has already been fazed out of Keighley bus station since last month after a growing number of complaints from passengers.

The move follows a pilot scheme at Huddersfield bus station and will be followed by smoking bans at all other West Yorkshire bus stations.

Patients and visitors at Bradford Royal Infirmary are also being encouraged to stub it in the hospital.

Smokers are directed to three special shelters which were built in the grounds last year - although staff still have smoking rooms and there are smoking rooms for patients too ill or incapacitated to get to the outdoor shelters.