It has taken more than a year to bring in the ban

The decision to create a smoke-free environment in Newcastle's Eldon Square comes after research found 77% of shoppers wanted restrictions.

It is the latest in a number of shopping centres in the north-east of England to ban smoking.

Staff at shops in the centre have been encouraged to use the ban as an opportunity to stop smoking.

Managers at Eldon Square say it has taken more than a year to bring in the ban and it had to be approved by central government.

Centre manager Susan Nicol said: "More and more people are expecting cleaner environments.

"It is in response to quite a few surveys we have carried out. We have had a positive response to it.

Smoking was banned in the MetroCentre in January

"I think it will take a few months to bed in, but we are not envisaging any major problems."

Shoppers have been alerted about the ban with announcements and posters.

Ash trays will be put up at the centre's entrances, and bins with ashtrays are being removed from the centre.

People will still be able to smoke in some cafes and restaurants.

Shopping centres in the region which have already banned smoking include Gateshead's MetroCentre, Middlesbrough's Cleveland Centre, the Bridges, in Sunderland, and Milburngate, in Durham City.

Ian Willmore, from anti-tobacco group Action on Smoking and Health (Ash), said: "There are a lot of shopping centres around the country bringing in bans and it seems to be from feedback from customers.

"It's important that it applies to anywhere in the shopping centre where people work as smoking in the workplace is a serious heath and safety issue."

Simon Clark, director of the smokers' lobby group Forest, said: "I think if there's somewhere where they can go, like a coffee shop or restaurant, that seems to be a reasonable compromise.

"I think when it's banned everywhere in a shopping centre, that's a step too far. I don't think a ban in smoking in malls bothers too many people."