PUB REGULARS are holding an all-night smoking party before their habit is banished from the bar forever.

Landlord Pete Smith, who beat the weed himself more than four years ago, has had to apply for an extension to his licence so the party can go on until dawn.

He is arranging an evening of entertainment and nostalgia' on Saturday, June 30, to help his smoking locals go out in a blaze of glory.

Musicians who regularly appear at The Park pub in Weymouth have formed a band called Silk Cut and the Golden Virginias and will play early in the evening.

Later, drinkers will dance to songs specially selected for the stereo including hits from Smokey Robinson and the classic Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.

There will be smoke-themed competitions, old cigarette adverts playing on the big screen and free fags at the bar.

Celebrations will be stubbed out at 5am on July 1, an hour before the ban comes into force which will make all enclosed public places in England smoke-free.

Mr Smith said: "Although I'm a non-smoker now I still understand it's quite a historic date so to celebrate the occasion we're having a party I'm calling All Fagged Out.

"I had a chat with the customers about it and decided that we couldn't let the date pass by completely unnoticed.

"It's a nostalgia thing, the end of an era. It's purely a bit of fun and of course non-smokers are more than welcome."

Smokers will still be able to indulge at the hotel after July 1 - but will have to sit in the garden.

Mr Smith said he thought the ban was a good thing overall and is likely to attract customers to the pub who are currently put off.

He added: "It's the obvious way forward and it's surprised me how many smokers think it's a good idea.

"I know some people who come in the pub are thinking of giving up because of the inconvenience.

"Personally though I think the licensed trade will suffer. I wouldn't be surprised if we lose about 10 per cent of our pubs in this area."