Mick's Café - one of the last bastions of never-say-die smokers in Oxford - is holding a trial no smoking day to prepare customers for the nationwide ban on July 1.

The greasy spoon in Cripley Road, off Botley Road, has been serving up cooked breakfasts for decades.

While many restaurants have already implemented no smoking policies, the cosy café is often filled with cigarette smoke after truckers and other diners light up following a full English.

On Tuesday, June 26, Mick Harris, who runs the café, will hold a trial no-smoking day to prepare customers for the big stubbing out.

He said: "People have been smoking here for years and some of them might not like being told to go outside to smoke, particularly when it is raining.

"But they need to start getting used to this because it is going to be the law and I could be fined £2,000 if I do not stick to the rules.

"Hopefully, this trial day will get customers used to the idea that they won't be able to smoke any more at Mick's Café.

"I'm pleased the ban is coming in because I am not a big fan of cigarette smoke. I must have breathed quite a bit of it in over the years, working here."

There was a mixed reaction from customers yesterday.

Mick Barrett, 59, from Oxford, said: "I understand why Mick is having the trial, as it is not long until the proper ban kicks in.

"But I think that the whole thing is wrong. I think that places like this will struggle as people who smoke won't want to keep going outside for a cigarette - I'd rather go to prison than pay a fine."

However John Trafford, 31, from Abingdon, said: "Sitting in a smoky environment while you eat is disgusting and Mick's trial will show that people do not mind if they can't have a cigarette."

There has been a tea room or café on the Cripley Road site since the 1920s.

Earlier this month, Nasser Fawaz, the manager of Restaurant Du Liban, in Broad Street, said he would have to move so customers could continue to use shisha pipes with their meal.

Pubs which have already introduced a smoking ban include the Red Lion at Faringdon, the White Hart at Wolvercote and the Rising Sun at Ickford.

Jean Fooks, Oxford City Council's executive member for a cleaner city, said that the onus was on smokers to act responsibly.