The Elephant and Castle, in Hospital Road, Bury St Edmunds, spent so much time on its garden that it won the award for the best public house in this year's Bury in Bloom competition.

Landlords Marian and Gareth Thomas said they were delighted with the result but it came at a sad time as they had handed in their notice to Greene King.

The pub had been suffering for a while but the couple say the smoking ban had killed off most of their remaining trade.

Mrs Thomas said: "It's amazing but unfortunately we have got all that garden but half of it is hidden and people don't realise it is there.

"I made sure for all the non-smokers it was nice and clean but we can't do any more. The weather hasn't helped but what can you do as we can't force people to come here.

"I think a lot of people – especially if they want a drink and a smoke, are staying at home for it."

As well as Bury in Bloom, the pub has also made a success of its darts and football teams but none of this has helped to boost the amount of trade needed to keep going.

Since the smoking ban, the couple have lost around £500 a week and say it is now a choice between leaving the pub or going bankrupt.

Mr Thomas, who has run the pub with Marian for more than two years, said: "The smoking shelter's not good enough but there's not a lot we can do about it.

"We thought it might be an advantage with the garden so we decided to keep going through the summer but we've had to hand in our notice to Greene King."

The couple are planning to leave the pub within three to six months.

No-one from Greene King was available to comment.