Bexley could become the first London Borough to have a smokefree pedestrian zone if the council carries out its proposals.

The council say the proposal is to "protect young people from the influence of visible smoking and second-hand smoke".

A Bexley Council statement read: "The proposed voluntary zone would initially run as a pilot for six months and cover the main pedestrianised areas in the town centre, including around Bexleyheath Clock Tower."

If plans are acted upon - Bexleyheath Town Centre would be a smokefree zone and electronic cigarette devices would also be banned.

Councillor Peter Craske, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Environment and Leisure, said: “We want to hear from people who shop, work or visit Bexleyheath on their views on whether we should have a smokefree zone in the town centre.”

Dr Anjan Ghosh, Bexley’s Director of Public Health, said: “Research has shown that even pre-school children who live with a smoker perceive that smoking is “the norm”. By urging people not to smoke in a busy public area that is frequented by school children, Bexley will support the government’s Tobacco Control Plan for a future smokefree generation.”

The council wants residents to take its online survey so they can gauge public interest in the proposal.

You can take the survey here which runs until Friday (March 16).

There will be a stall in the Bexleyheath Mall on No Smoking Day (March 14) for people to give their opinion. 

Children's playgrounds in Bexley managed by the council are already smoke free.