A Preston taxi driver has been caught and fined for smoking in his vehicle.

Ghafoor Akthar, 60, pleaded guilty to smoking in a smokefree workplace.

Akthar, of Cliffe Court, Fishwick, was observed by Preston City Council’s enforcement officers smoking a cigarette in his hackney carriage vehicle.

He was driving in North Road at the time and officers spoke to Akthar outside of Ace Ringway’s taxi office in Guild Row.

During a hearing at Preston Magistrates’ Court the taxi driver was ordered to pay a total of £280 – made up of £50 fine, £200 costs to the council and a victim surcharge of £30.

Read more: Two Preston taxi drivers caught picking up fares illegally

Cabinet member for planning and regulation councillor Peter Moss said: “The law on not smoking in workplaces and vehicles applies equally to taxi drivers who carry members of the public. They have a greater responsibility in that they need to protect the public health of their passengers.

“The drivers and their passengers must also comply with smoke-free laws. Where they don’t, we will look to take action and prosecute offenders to safeguard people’s health.”

Under The Health Act of 2006 it is illegal to possess lit tobacco in a place defined as smokefree.