How to beat the smoking ban

A grandfather was so outraged by a Wales-wide ban on smoking in public places he built his own private pub.

Property developer Kerry Morgan, 50, feared the simple pleasure of smoking and drinking a pint was about to disappear forever.

As a result he built an extension to his home, in Briton Ferry, Neath, south Wales, and transformed his garden into a substantial public house. Now the 90-seater boozer is his own personal refuge from a smoking ban which came into force across Wales on Monday.

Punters caught flouting the new law, which has taken effect three months earlier than in England, face a £50 fine. But friends and family of Mr Morgan can puff away regardless, safe in the knowledge they are perfectly legal.

While set up as a protest against the ban, Mr Morgan charges nothing, and does not allow the general public inside. The pub was started a year ago in anticipation of today's ban, but originally had room for just 50 people.

But the private watering hole proved so popular he has since extended it to its present 90-seater size.

Anyone wandering in from outside by mistake could be forgiven for confusing the private venue for an authentic pub. Boasting a wide screen TV, juke box and bar with draught beers and lagers it is even named the Malcolm Davies Bar after a deceased friend.