Last week 'rebel landlord Hamish Howitt' lost his licence when the High Court ruled he was breaking the law. The bar owner from Blackpool has run up thousands of pounds in fines over his refusal to ban smoking on his premises.

Mr. Howitt, had continued to allow smoking inside his venue despite the introduction of the smoking ban in England in July 2007.

But last week at London's High Court, it was ruled he was obliged by health and licensing laws to treat smoking in his bar as a crime and prevent it.

Later Mr. Howitt said: "I am devastated."

He said he would close his bar immediately to comply with the judge's ruling, but would also attempt to take his case to the House of Lords, the highest court in the land.

Do you have an opinion? Why not share with us via 'Ask the Expert'?