SMOKERS and non-smokers at Whitefield Conservative Club have united to condemn new laws which will see cigarettes stubbed out at the popular Elms Road establishment from next summer.

Around 100 members opposed to the smoking ban have sent a petition to the House of Lords.

They claim that the decision, which will hit pubs as well as private members' clubs, is "an infringement on human rights and freedom of choice". The smoking ban is set to come into force in 2007.

Signatures were gathered by club members Pam Davis and Colin Wilde of Selby Avenue, Whitefield. And the club committee has given its support to members who put their names to the petition.

In the letter to the Lords, Pam and Colin state: "The petition was carried out over a short period of only five days and as you can see approximately 100 plus people have signed their name. These signatures you will notice are not only smokers, but non-smokers."

The letter also highlights various comments made by members in relation to next year's smoking ban. Some have accused the Government of being "obsessed" with giving away people's rights and freedom of choice and cite private members' clubs like Whitefield Conservative Club as being "an extension of our own homes."

Other members have said that if they can't smoke, then they will not come in and that this could lead to Whitefield Conservative Club closing "owing to lack of support and funds.