More than half of pubs quizzed by the Oxford Mail have admitted spotting a smoker illegally lighting up - but nobody has been fined.

The Oxford Mail questioned 32 pubs across the county and 17 landlords said people had been seen flouting the ban.

In most cases, landlords say smokers claim to have forgotten about the ban - and when tackled, either apologised or immediately went outside.

But local councils, which are supposed to enforce the ban, have not fined a smoker or licensed premises for flouting the ban since it came into force six months ago.

Luke Massingham, manager of The Chequers Inn in Witney, said: "It often happens at the weekends with people trying to be a nuisance. So we advise them to go to the smoking area, or make them leave."

Another landlord, in Kidlington, who asked not to be named, said a drinker persisted with smoking one night in the pub because he knew the pub manager was away.

He was warned by staff and eventually put out the cigarette.

Smokers who get caught lighting up face a £50 fine.

A pub landlord can be liable for a £200 fine for failing to display a No Smoking sign. They could be landed with a far higher fine of £2,500 if they allow any drinkers to smoke on their premises.

No fines have been issued by any district council in Oxfordshire.

Oxford City Council, however, has sent six warning letters to premises where smoking is alleged to have taken place.

They have also issued 108 letters warning about wrong signage.

Two premises in West Oxfordshire are also under investigation for allegedly breaching the strict smoking regulations.

Simon Clark, director of smokers lobby group Forest, said: "There are a lot of angry smokers who feel the ban is too draconian."