GILLINGHAM'S Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre is starting the New Year as a smoke-free zone, with a sweeping ban on smoking on its premises.

From New Year's Day, nobody will be allowed to light up at the centre except in two small designated areas at the Morelli's coffee shop and the food court.

Deputy centre manager Jean York said: "We decided to pick this time of year when many smokers try to give up. This is our New Year's resolution and we ask them to join us in it. We want to create a fresher, cleaner environment."

Ms York said the centre had had several telephone calls and letters from customers asking for the centre to become smoke-free. They wanted an unpolluted environment and there was concern for children with conditions such as asthma.

She said notices had been put up over the last couple of months warning of the ban and added: "Surprisingly, nobody complained about smokers' rights.

"But we aimed to make people aware of it early on and give them plenty of time to accept it.

"More and more places are banning smoking and we feel it is the right time for us to do it."

The Pentagon Shopping Centre in Chatham imposed its own ban this year as did the Chequers Shopping Centre in Maidstone.

Smokers at the Hempstead complex remained relaxed about the ban there. Twenty-a-day Jennifer Farraway, 60, of Nelson Road, Gillingham, said: "I'm not worried, I can always have a cigarette outside."

Ann Ganden, 64, of Barnsole Road, Gillingham, said: "I'm only a casual smoker anyway. Everybody else complains about us smoking around them and here they won't."

Brian Cartmill, 30, of Windmill Road, Gillingham, said: "I suppose I could do without a cigarette during a couple of hours shopping here.

"There is no reason why other people should breathe in our smoke."

Another smoker, Paula Hackett, 33, of Deanwood Close, Gillingham, said: "It doesn't bother me. I don't have a cigarette around my child or indoors anyway."

Non-smoker Sandi Digby, 52, of Rochester High Street, avidly supported the ban.

She said: "Why should I risk my health for someone else's enjoyment?

"People making you smoke passively is as bad as someone drink-driving. Both put lives at risk."