Fears are rife that one of this area's favourite pastimes could be badly hit by the impending smoking ban.

Thousands of people from around Dunstable flock to play bingo each week, but business experts predict that bingo halls face tough times in the months ahead.

It's especially worrying for The Bingo Association, which is based in High Street North, Dunstable.

The association has launched a national campaign, Stop Destroying My Bingo, after figures showed that one in every ten bingo clubs in Scotland has shut up shop since the Scottish ban came in.

It's estimated that around 60 per cent of bingo players smoke, and when the ban on smoking in public places comes in on July 1, it could have an impact.

Steven Baldwin from the Bingo Association said: "I think the fact that there are two bingo clubs within 15 minutes drive of each other shows how popular bingo is around here.

"Bingo is popular in this part of the world."