A RESTAURANT in Marbella which deliberately flouted the anti-smoking law has been shut down by authorities and the entrance taped off.

The rotisserie Asador de Guadalmina, on the urbanisation of the same name, put up signs on January 2 telling customers they could still smoke inside if they wished.

As a result, owner José Eugenio Arias Camisón was served notice by the courts.

He originally said he would not close down until the Guardia Civil did so under a court order, which has finally arrived.

Arias Camisón, who has been running the restaurant for 10 years, said he shut his premises 'for the sake of his wife and kids' since he was told by the police that he would be put behind bars if he refused.

He says the closure is only temporary and he intends to appeal.

Arias Camisón has also hinted that he intends to open another type of establishment where customers can smoke, but has not given specifics.

Criticising the government for its harsh stance on smoking in bars, he likened the law to a 'dictatorship' like 'in Franco's time'.

Around 20 customers were in the restaurant when the police entered at 19.00hrs to close it down.