AN East Yorkshire MP is backing a campaign for the smoking ban in Britain’s pubs and clubs to be relaxed.

Conservative Greg Knight has joined fellow MPs John Hemming, a Liberal Democrat, and Labour MP Roger Godsiff in a cross-party call for the move, arguing the ban has had a devastating impact on the industry.

They are asking for the law to be changed so pubs can install a separate room for smokers to use after thousands of businesses closed in recent years. The smoking ban was introduced in England in 2007.

An event promoting the Save Our Pubs And Clubs Campaign will be held at the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday with the aim of attracting support from more MPs and peers.

Mr Knight said: “This is a unique opportunity for people to show how strongly they feel on this important issue. A modest change in the law, not a repeal of the smoking ban, is all we seek.”