A licensee who admits he flouted the anti-smoking law in his pub and restaurant for nearly two years says he will now toe the line after a big court bill.

Gerry Stonhill was handed fines and costs of £5,765 at Witney Magistrates' Court but revealed this week that a customer has already given him a £500 cheque towards it.

He told the Oxford Mail that he still thought the law was "stupid" and that there were "plenty of others out there who think the same."

Mr Stonhill, owner of The Mason Arms in South Leigh, last week admitted six separate offences brought by West Oxfordshire District Council under the Health Act 2006.

One of the fines was for his own lighting up in a smoke-free area.

"My customers know I think the law is stupid and I have flouted it well and truly for nearly the past two years," said Mr Stonhill.

"But I have had my spanking and I've now had to put a line under it."

The landlord, who has built up a reputation for celebrity customers and some of his own "house rules," 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, and smoking in a smoke-free area himself.

Council costs of £4,000, covering officer investigation time, were also awarded against him.

Mr Stonhill added: "Only a few days after the case, one of my very good customers came in and wrote me a cheque for £500, which is very nice.

"The whole thing is a bit of a laugh when I think of it. The prosecution had lined up two or three people who had come here to have dinner. I've got the receipts for their bill and they've landed me with this.

"I've always said I am against the law, it's a waste of time, there are much more important things to do. There should be a choice. There's plenty of others out there who think the same.

"Some guy who has been out there digging a trench all day wants to have a pint and a smoke at the end of it. I can't see what's wrong with that."

The 2006 legislation requires that almost all enclosed public places and workplaces are to be kept smoke-free, and carry suitable advice signs. Failure to comply can lead to a fixed penalty notice, or prosecution.

Despite the law being in force for nearly 21 months, Mr Stonhill was the first prosecution brought by local councils in Oxfordshire.

As well as his objection to the smoking laws, Mr Stonhill has also been reported as having unfavourable views about vegetarians, dogs and mobile phones at The Mason Arms.

Barry Norton, leader of the council, said: "I am pleased he now says he is going to abide by the law."