A Blackpool landlord has vowed to flout the imminent smoking ban and has said he will fight it in the courts.

Hamish Howitt, licensee of the Happy Scots on Rigby Road says he will allow smoking in his pub when the ban comes into effect on July 1.

Hamish, who set up his own political party, UK FAGS and stood in the local elections last month, claims he will not pay any fines issued against him and is prepared to challenge the ban in court.

He said: "I won't be stopping my customers smoking. I will not pay any penalties against me and my lawyers, who are working for free, will take this to the Court of Human Rights.

"More than 14 million lawful smokers will be stripped of their dignity shepherded outside pubs to the humiliation chambers for officialdom to sneer at.

"I see it as nothing more than a government incited hate crime against people going about their lawful business."

Mr Howitt is planning a smoke in' on the day and has invited smokers from all over the country to light up in his pub at 11am on July 1.

He also claims to have the mandate of around 75 per cent of other landlords in the resort as he is the current chairman of the Licensees Association.

A spokesman for Blackpool Council said that they would approach smoke-free enforcement in a non-confrontational way, but if attempts to encourage compliance did not succeed it could result in prosecution and a possible loss of licence.