Blarney aims to clean up its kisses

IT’S not a load of old Blarney — the famous Co Cork town is aiming to become Ireland’s first tobacco-free centre.

Pubs, restaurants and supermarkets yesterday enthusiastically embraced a no smoking day and the Blarney Stone restaurant in the town square took the lead by slapping a permanent ban on smoking.

Proprietor Elizabeth O'Connor, a non-smoker, said: "The smoking members of staff have also decided to give up I've hounded them long enough."