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Campaigners are demanding the BBC apologise after Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson and James May appeared to flout the smoking ban on the show.

The pair lit up pipes during the news section of Sunday night's edition of the hit series.

Waverley Borough Council said it was investigating the incident which took place at the Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey, where Top Gear was being filmed.

The ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces in England was introduced in July, following similar laws in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

Flouting the law can lead to fines of up to £50 for individuals and £2,500 for businesses who allow people to smoke on their premises.

All three presenters pulled out three pipes from under their chairs during a discussion about Porsche-branded products such as keyrings and t-shirts.

Richard Hammond, who recently quit smoking, decided not to light up his pipe, filled with a herbal honey tobacco.

After putting the wrong end of the pipe in his mouth and burning his tongue, Clarkson, 47, was seen running from the stage.

The BBC said it had received just a couple of complaints from viewers of the show.

Amanda Sandford, spokeswoman for Action on Smoking on Health (Ash), said the Corporation should apologise.