A FLAMBOYANT pub landlord has become the first in Oxfordshire to be fined for flouting the new anti-smoking laws.

Gerry Stonhill came out of court with a combined bill of £5,750 for allowing smoking in his pub-restaurant, the Mason Arms, in South Leigh, near Witney.

One of the fines imposed by Witney magistrates was because Mr Stonhill himself had lit up in a supposedly smoke-free area in the premises.

But an unrepentant Mr Stonhill, who pleaded guilty to all the charges, said today: "You make up what you want, old boy. I'm not making any comment, except Tony Blair can stick his anti-smoking law up his a***."

Mr Stonhill, who has built up a reputation for celebrity customers and some unusual house rules, admitted six separate charges brought by West Oxfordshire District Council under the Health Act 2006.

He was given three separate fines of £500 for failing to prevent smoking in a smoke-free area, along with fines of £200 and £50 for not displaying the correct No Smoking sign, as well as smoking in a smoke-free area himself.

Council investigation and prosecution costs of £4,000 were also awarded against Mr Stonhill at the hearing.

Bill Oddy, the council's head of community services, said: "This investigation was carried out after a member of the public complained to the council.

"Our officers provided advice and several attempts were made to persuade Mr Stonhill to comply with the law."

The 2006 legislation requires almost all enclosed public places and workplaces to be kept smoke-free, and have suitable advice signs.

Failure to comply can lead to a fixed-penalty notice or prosecution.

Despite the law being in force for almost 21 months, Mr Stonhill was the first person to be prosecuted in Oxfordshire.

Mr Stonhill, who installed a helicopter pad at his pub-restaurant to cater for some of his more wealthy and famous customers, is well-regarded by his peers.

In a recent review, chef Marco Pierre White wrote: "It's a proper place. They regard the smoking ban as heinous and do not have a website.

"Children and vegetarians aren't welcome and nor are mobile phones or dogs. It's all very post-war in feeling and spirit."

He gave the pub 20 out of 20 in the Waitrose Food Illustrated magazine.

Chef Raymond Blanc, speaking to The Guardian last September, described the Mason Arms as his "all-time favourite pub".

The owner of Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, in Great Milton, added: "Gerry, the owner, hates vegetarians, hates children, loves cigars. He's a great host."

In 2003, The Daily Telegraph described the Mason Arms as "a gin and Jag club for the racing world, an alcoholic pit stop for the tanned rally driver and the classic car enthusiast".