THE home of Hampshire cricket is ready to deliver a ban that will bowl out smoker's months before a nationwide ban is enforced.

The Rose Bowl in West End will be leading the way in the south as it is due to become one of the first public places to introduce the smoking ban.

New laws banning smoking in public places will come into effect on July 1 but the Rose Bowl is looking to implement the ban at the beginning of April or maybe even earlier.

At the moment the Rose Bowl is in consultation with its members on how best to enforce the ban and how it will take shape within the premises, for example whether there will be a complete ban or designated smoking areas.

April has been put forward as a possible date for the start of the ban as it will coincide with the beginning of the cricket season, ensuring consistency of their policy throughout the season.

However, the ban could be introduced even earlier as the Rose Bowl works with Hampshire County Council to help inform and give advice to local businesses that will be effected by the new legislation.

The council will be holding one of three seminars at the Rose Bowl next month, so the ban may come into force then to show that they are in full support of the new legislation and what the council are doing.

Jason Hill, from the Rose Bowl, said: "We are currently talking with our members to discover the best way to bring in this ban.

"There are still a lot of things to consider but April has been one date discussed. There is the possibility that we would start the ban as early as March in time for the seminar.

"We are in full support of the ban and what we do not want is members starting the season being able to smoke then have it all change a few months later."

Cecilia Farren, from the South West branch of Ash, the public health charity that has campaigned for the ban, welcomes the Rose Bowl move.

She said: "Of course these places are going to have to do it eventually so why not try it out first to give you a chance to iron out the glitches.

"It is all about saving lives and for that reason alone starting the ban early is a fantastic idea."