A dog walker was bemused when he discovered a ‘no smoking’ sign at Shortbank Road Recreation Ground in Skipton.

Brian Elsworth, of nearby Moor Crescent, questioned whether you could make an open area a no-smoking area “It’s not like it’s a public house or a business premises,” he said.

The sign was put up last Tuesday outside an entrance to the recreation area – which is known locally as The Gully – and Mr Elsworth noticed it when he took his dog for a walk the next morning.

He said: “I’ve been going there every day for years and it amused me when I saw the sign.”

He has since spoken with a group of dog walkers who regularly visit the park.

“Even though none of us smoke, we had a laugh about this morning,” said Mr Elsworth.

Dave Parker, chief officer of Skipton Town Council, was surprised by the reaction but said it was unlikely the sign, or any others like it, would be removed.

Mr Parker said: “Generally, the conditions of use for the council’s play areas follow nationally agreed guidelines – but our view is that it is clearly not appropriate for the council to condone smoking in or around an area where children are playing.

“This is not a new policy. Similar signs have been in place at other play areas across the town for a number of years and I can safely say that this is the first time the policy has been questioned. It is extremely unlikely that the council will wish to review that policy.”

Mr Elsworth was also critical of another sign put up in the park, which prohibited cycling, an activity that he said should be promoted to children.