NEWS the national smoking ban could be delayed has been greeted with mixed reactions in Bolton.

Human rights lawyer Jaswinder Gill, of the London law firm Ormerods, has launched an application for a judicial review on behalf of the Freedom To Choose group, which is opposed to the ban.

Mr Gill is arguing that the smoking ban, which is due to come into force on July 1, is against the public's human rights.

If the judicial review is given the go-ahead, the ban could be delayed while the courts examine the evidence supporting the claim.

Mr Gill said: "What it all boils down to is whether people have to freedom to choose.

"We are ready to proceed and we're hopeful that the courts will act quickly because of the implementation date in the summer."

With huge numbers of people expected to quit smoking on National No Smoking Day tomorrow, health bosses in Bolton have called the launch of a judicial review and the possibility of a delay as "disappointing".

Deborah Collinson, of Bolton's Primary Care Trust, said: "I'm very surprised that this is being done because the health risks far outweigh any other objections. And what about people's right to breathe clean air? I'm very disappointed and I sincerely hope that this doesn't delay our progress."

But Bolton landlord Nick Hogan, who owns the Swan pub in Churchgate and who has vowed to flaunt the ban when it is introduced in July, is delighted with the move.

Mr Hogan, who has donated £1,000 of his own money to Freedom To Choose, said: "The ban is fundamentally wrong. I don't advocate smoking, but I'm really annoyed about the Government telling us what we can and can't do - where will it stop?"