A SMOKING shelter at a Cowley Road venue was torn down by council officials.

Oxford City Council said the shelter at Jamaican cafe Hi-Lo was creating damp in a neighbouring property.

A team from the council broke up the timber and plasterboard structure in an alleyway at the venue on Monday afternoon.

The shelter was put up as a car port and smoking area after the Government banned smoking in indoor public places in July 2007.

Licensing and development manager Tony Payne said people living in the flat next door had complained about problems with damp.

He said the council had demanded it be removed in June and had warned owner Hugh ‘Andy’ Anderson that the authority would do it if he did not and send him the bill.

He said Mr Anderson could face legal action for not removing it himself.

Mr Anderson claimed the wall was totally dry. His wife Jan added: “It’s a bit heavy handed.”

She said the area might not be available for smokers this weekend as it was full of broken timber.