PEOPLE who flout the smoking ban in pubs face a ticking off from an automated alarm system.

The system is set to be introduced in pubs across Burnley and Padiham as there are fears that if landlords tell people off for smoking it could provoke trouble.

The ban on smoking in public places comes into force on July 1.

The system will be explained to local licensees at the next meeting of Padiham Pub Watch when a representative from local firm Radal Technology will be at the meeting at the New Black Bull, Padiham, on June 5.

Brent Dunleavey will demonstrate how the smoke detectors are used in public buildings in other countries where a smoking ban already exists.

Mr Dunleavey said: "We are working with many pub operators and individual pubs ahead of the smoking ban.

"Our technology has been praised for its ability to cover areas that are difficult to monitor such as toilets and other hidden areas 100 per cent of the time.

"Upon detection of illicit smoking, Cig-Arrête alarms release a voice message, warning the smoker that it is against the law to smoke and to extinguish their cigarette.

"By removing the need for human intervention, possible friction is removed from such situations."

The secretary of Padiham Pubwatch and licensee of The Railway, Julie Simcoe, said: "As licensees we fully understand that the smoking ban may be difficult for some of our customers who are used to having a cigarette whilst they are out socialising.

"However, through education and by using the latest technology, we expect that instances of people attempting to smoke in licensed premises will be minimal."