ROCK legend Paul Weller could cost a popular entertainment venue £2,500 after flouting the smoking ban on stage.

Weller, former frontman of the Jam and the Style Council, performed at the Cliffs Pavilion on Saturday, where he repeatedly smoked on stage during his set.

Southend Council, which owns the freehold to the Cliffs, has promised to investigate the matter and warned any breach of the smoking ban would be taken seriously.

Paul Driscoll, marketing manager for Cliffs, said there was allowance within the law which permitted artists to smoke in order to preserve “artistic integrity”.

He said: “While we would always draw people’s attention to the law, there is an exception clause which allows performing acts to smoke if necessary.

“It is used to allow actors in period plays to portray people smoking, like Winston Churc-hill with a cigar.

“Mr Weller felt smoking was integral to the mood of his set.

“He had been smoking outside before, and did not smoke in his dressing room, or during the first half of his performance. Only when he came back on did he start smoking, which he felt was essential for the songs he was performing.”

Under the legislation, owners of enclosed venues can be fined up to £2,500 for allowing smoking to take place, and the smoker may be issued with a £50 fixed penalty notice.

A spokeswoman for Mr Weller refused to comment.