A THREE month trial to ban smoking in Oxford's parks will come into effect today.

The scheme will be trialled at Florence Park, Cutteslowe Park and Sandfield Road Recreation Ground, by the John Radcliffe.

The ban only applies to the enclosed play areas and posters will be put up within the play areas, with monitoring taking place.

It is hoped the trial will help the Oxford City Council to see if the voluntary ban will work or whether it needs to introduce legislation to make it enforceable.