THE owner of a Woodford Green bookmakers admits he has taken a gamble by opening the first smoke-free betting shop in London.

Tony Hayward is an experienced bookie who has had a shop in Snakes Lane East since moving to the area in 1984.

But last month Mr Hayward did what all bookies will have to do next year and decided to ban punters from lighting up on his new premises.

Now with two shops just 70 yards apart, Mr Hayward says both are doing good business, with up to 40 per cent of his existing customers opting to move their trade to the smoke-free zone.

Mr Hayward said: "I am a non-smoker and have always thought that there are a fair number of people who would appreciate leaving the shop without the smell of smoke on their clothes."

On deciding to make the shop non-smoking, Mr Hayward said: "It was a calculated risk. It's early days yet but the signs are that the business is split 50/50 between the two shops.

"The risk is that you have doubled your expenses by running two premises and may not increase your trade. But it is self-evident that anyone who uses the new shop likes the idea.

"The comments I have had are 100 per cent complimentary."

Mr Hayward's new shop is bigger than the original one and has several large screens which show live sporting events.

It also has ample parking facilities and is accessible for disabled people.

And if that is not enough, you can also get a free cup of tea or coffee.

In England a blanket ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces will come into effect from next summer.

That means that all betting shops, as well as pubs, clubs and restaurants, will stub out smoking for good.

But Mr Hayward says results taken from countries which have already banned smoking in betting shops show that business is still booming.

He said: "In terms of the industry we were initially nervous but the fact that Ireland has reported a success story, as has Scotland, then overall I certainly welcome it.

"It is a good time for the betting industry in general."