WORCESTERSHIRE County Cricket Club has publicised a smoking ban at New Road cricket ground by unveiling a new banner.

The club has placed the banner on the Basil D'Olivera stand, proclaiming the ground's new smoke-free status.

It had until July to outlaw smoking under new Gov-ernment legislation, but has decided to ban it early to make the season a healthy one for spectators.

The club is hoping an early ban will help it take a "softly, softly" approach before Government legislation kicks in from July 1.

Club chief executive Mark Newton said: "Wor-cestershire County Cricket Club, along with most other county cricket clubs, has already embraced the new legislation and implemented its new policy on April 1.

"All our building, seating areas and walkways are now smoke-free, which has been well received by our members and supporters.

"We will still be accommodating smokers in certain areas of the ground. We do believe the new legislation will be self-policing, but by introducing our new ground regulations early, we can take a softly, softly approach before the law comes into effect on July 1."

Worcester City Council had agreed to help fund the banner on the Basil D'Olivera stand by sponsoring it. Martin Gillies, environmental health manager with the council, said: "We are delighted to see the enthusiasm with which Worcestershire County Cricket Club has implemented the new measures.

"It's our job to support and advise businesses on how best to enforce the new law, and this is an excellent example of how to introduce new procedures gently and iron out any difficulties before the new law takes effect."

When the ban comes into effect, smoking in all enclosed public spaces nationwide will be against the law.

The Government has estimated the law will result in 600,000 people giving up smoking.