Bosses at brewers Greene King say they are "cautiously encouraged" by the reaction to the smoking ban.

The company, which owns 135 outlets in Oxfordshire, has installed smoking facilities in the majority and will continue to review the situation.

Chief executive Rooney Anand said further investment had been made in food, wine and soft drinks to tempt non-smokers, families and retired couples into pubs.

He added: "We don't see the smoking ban project as finished.

"We continue to refine and improve our approach to make our pubs as welcoming as they can be to smokers and non-smokers alike."

Mr Anand spoke after Greene King unveiled a record set of financial figures for the six months up to October 13.

It reported a pre-tax profit of £71.6m, a rise of seven per cent on the same period last year and Mr Rooney praised the staff.

He said: "A big thank-you to our licensees and pub staff in Oxfordshire for all their hard work over the past six months.

"They've done a grand job of looking after their customers and have played a vital role in helping us to deliver a truly creditable set of results."

In August, Greene King took over the Loch Fyne restaurant chain, including its outlet in Walton Street, Oxford.

Mr Anand said Loch Fyne was trading in line with expectations.