COUNCIL bosses are trying to help create a European-style cafe pavement culture in Blackburn with Darwen.

And the move is also seen as a way of helping cafes cope with the new smoking laws which come into force on July 1.

Bosses said that the £272 cost of obtaining a licence to put tables and chairs out on the pavement would be waived for the rest of the year.

From July 1, smoking indoors in restaurants or cafes will be illegal and businesses will have to make alternative provision for customers who wish to smoke.

Adam Scott, director of regen-eration, housing and neighbour-hoods, said: "Café and restaurant owners need a licence to put tables and chairs out on the pavement or road for people to sit and eat and drink.

"Normally this costs £272 but for this year we're going to issue them free to encourage local cafes and restaurants to consider outdoor seating areas.

"It will help them cope with the smoking ban and help with the regeneration of our town centres."

Beryl Sutherland, owner of Cafe Beee's in Church Street, Blackburn, welcomed the offer.

She said: "Our business is smoke free anyway. Even the area outside.

We put tables and chairs out in the summer because people like to sit and watch the world go by in the sunshine.

"We haven't put them out yet because it's still a bit too cold, but we hope to do so in May.

Not having to pay the licence fee is brilliant."

Bosses warned that cafes will still need to obtain the licence despite it being free.

They say anyone putting seating outside their premises without one is at risk of obstructing the highway which is a criminal offence.

For more information about obtaining a licence, call 01254 273838.