PUB giant Wetherspoons is to ban smoking in all its outlets by May next year.

The move comes amid fears that drinkers are staying away from pubs because they are too smoky.

The company, which owns 650 pubs including two in Huddersfield, said 60 would be smoke-free from May of this year.

The firm, which has pioneered non-smoking areas in its bars and lounges, said it wanted to ban smoking two years ahead of Government legislation.

But chairman Tim Martin attacked the Government's proposals, saying that some pubs would still allow smoking if they did not sell food.

Wetherspoons said it would ban smoking from this May at its pubs in London, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Glasgow, Bristol, Birmingham and Nottingham.

Mr Martin said: "An increasing percentage of the population are giving up smoking and a significant number of people are staying away from pubs and restaurants because they are too smoky.

"We have pioneered non-smoking areas, but now feel it is the right time to go one step further.

"We believe the Wetherspoon approach of a complete ban after a period of notice is the right one."