A MOTHER terminally ill with cancer has slammed a Sandbach pub for allowing regulars to smoke again after winning an award for its 'clean air' policy.

Rose Easton, 49, who has secondary breast cancer, wanted to enjoy lunch with friends in a smoke-free environment which doesn't aggravate her condition.

After reading that The George in High Street had won a Smoke-Free award from Congleton Borough Council, she thought it would be safe to visit.

But as her lunch was served, she was furious to see drink-ers light up in what was hailed the only smoke-free pub in the borough.

Rose, of Groby Road in Crewe, said: 'I may have cancer but I still deserve a social life with my friends, and so do people with asthma or any condition where passive smoking is life-threatening to them.

'We were very angry when people started smoking and the staff could give no explanation except to say the policy had been dropped.'

The mother-of-two, on leave from her job as a teacher at Victoria Technology School in Crewe, discovered the severity of her condition in March.

She added: 'I have never smoked and was glad The George was making a stand on clean air. Sadly, it appears to have put financial gain before customers' health.'

In June the pub warned smokers they would face eviction by doormen if they ignored the ban.

Now signs have been placed in The George's windows making clear the change in policy, allowing smokers in designated areas.

Landlady Lynne O'Connell said it was down to huge losses.

She said: 'This is a business and while I have every sympathy for this customer's condition, and anyone in the same position, we couldn't keep a smoking ban.

'Since it was launched just over a month ago we have lost 50% of takings.

'Regular custom dwindled and we just couldn't manage on takings from people who came occasionally.'