COUNCIL chiefs have pledged not to crack down on smokers walking under York's historic Bar Walls, despite the practice being deemed illegal.

Dawn Clarkson, senior smoking enforcement officer at City of York Council, has revealed that, because they are more than 50 per cent enclosed, the gateways must be no-smoking areas, and should have signs placed on them accordingly.

But local conservationists need not fear having the landmark entrances to the city defaced.

A council spokeswoman said: "There are no plans at all to target the city's walls and bars. There is no issue with smoking there at all, and no plans to target those areas at all."

That message was in response to comments made by Ms Clarkson yesterday, when she told the local media that places such as Bootham Bar must be no-smoking areas - meaning someone walking through with a lit cigarette would be committing an offence.

She said: "It's actually substantially enclosed. When you look at it, it is less than 50 per cent open, so that would have to be a smoke-free area, so yes - you would be committing an offence if you walked through the bar."

Ms Clarkson spent yesterday at York Railway Station, teaming up with GNER to remind passengers not to smoke there.

Most of the station has been smoke-free since the national ban came into effect on July 1, and signs reminding smokers not to light up within the covered station buildings are in place. But some smokers within the outer portico area facing Station Road have not been observing the ban.

An information event at the station reminded everyone where smoking is and is not allowed within the law.

Ms Clarkson said before the event: "We hope that people will welcome our support on the day and realise that this area of the station must remain smoke-free to benefit the staff and visitors who use it."

GNER spokesman John Gelson said: "Although passengers are helping us to keep most of the station smoke-free, unfortunately there have been some occasions in the covered taxi rank and bus stands where the ban has not been observed.

"As responsible managers of the station we have a legal duty to ensure the entire covered area of the station is smoke-free.

"A clean station also provides a warm and welcoming gateway to the city of York for the many thousands of visitors who arrive here by rail, and so we're supporting the council's efforts in getting the message across to smokers."