HISTORIC buildings including Canterbury Cathedral will have to display no smoking signs to comply with the ban on smoking in public places which comes into effect this summer.

Canterbury city council has said that it would not be exempting the Cathedral or other churches from the rules. Failure to comply could land the Cathedral with a fine of £2,500.

Cathedral spokesman Christopher Robinson said: "Our plans for the impending smoke ban are still being formalised. Obviously, we have to comply with the legislation but we will be looking at doing it in a way that fits in with the building."

Pubs, clubs and businesses are also gearing up for the smoking ban which come into force on July 1.

From then customers and employees will have to go outside or use a designated outdoor smoking area if they want to light up. People caught smoking indoors face a £50 fine.