A MAN has converted his garden shed into a private bar to get round the ban on smoking in public places.

Alan Sheen and his friends built the bar after he moved into the house in Windermere Avenue, Millbrook, Southampton.

As it is a private bar for Alan's close friends and family, it is exempt from the smoking ban which came into force at the start of the month.

Alan and his wife, Carol, take it in turns to serve neighbours and friends from their optics and bottled beers, or simply let them bring their own.

The father of eight has even added a beer garden complete with a water feature.

Alan, 50, said: "People like to come in here and relax and put their music on and have a bit of a social occasion. We put our music on and the kids like to sing and do a bit of karaoke.

"They can't go into a pub and enjoy what they used to do of having a cigarette and a beer together so if they want to stand here and have their cigarette and pint that's fine."

A spokeswoman for Southampton City Council confirmed that smoking at The Tavern was perfectly legal.