Club anti-smoking move applauded.

For many years there has been a battle to dispel the image of North-Easterners in the eyes of those from outside the area.

The flat cap and whippet stereotype is often trumpeted by those seeking to do us down and suggest we are unable to move forward or be the innovative region we in fact are.

There is, of course, nothing wrong with that flat cap image. The North-East became the great industrial power because of the men who donned those caps and trudged off to work for many hours for little pay. Indeed, for those of us who originate in the area, the image is somewhat comforting and generates a sense of pride in all we have achieved over the centuries.

Another image of North-East life is the aforementioned men enjoying their free time ( and dare we suggest free time away from the missus ( in the local club. Tab in one hand, pint in the other, they put the world to rights with everything from how bad the local football team is to what the wife has planned for them over the weekend.

One part of the picture may soon disappear ( the cigarette smoke. Seaham Conservative Club is looking to ban the evil weed but needs the consensus of other pubs and clubs around them for fear of losing trade. It is a brave move but one which must be applauded. We only hope their appeal is successful.