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Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood will continue to smoke on stage during Rolling Stones gigs in the UK despite reminders from authorities that it is now illegal.

Band insiders were responding to warnings from Greenwich Council that the two guitarists could face fines if they persist in lighting up on stage, as happened during a gig at the O2 arena last night.

Richards smoked throughout a rendition of You Got the Silver – despite frantic warnings from the venue's staff. He was joined by Ronnie Wood, who was cheered by the 20,000 strong crowd when he, too, defied the ban.

"Ronnie and Keith have been smoking on stage for the last three decades and they're not going to stop for the next two," a source close to the band told Times Online.

"Of course they're going to have a fag - it's what they do.

"You might say that Keith and Ronnie lighting up while they swap licks is part of the Stones performance."

The O2 was today warned that it could face a £2,500 fine if the Rolling Stones persisted in smoking during their remaining two gigs at the venue – tomorrow and Sunday.

Greenwich Council told the venue today that it had an obligation to enforce the legislation with a fine and potential prosecution if the ban is flouted.

Richards appeared from backstage – his cigarette already lit – about a third of the way through the set when he came on to sing two numbers while Sir Mick Jagger was taking a break.

Having a delivered a wistful rendition of You Got the Silver - which includes the line 'Hey baby – what's that in your eyes?', he then proceeded to puff his way through Wanna Hold You, joined by Wood.

A statement from Greenwich Council today said: "We have reminded the O2 of their obligation to enforce the smoking ban and are satisfied with the assurances they have provided that this will not recur," adding that it had not received any complaints from the public.

A spokeswoman for AEG, which runs the O2 arena, said: "We are sure it was an oversight and are grateful for the band's co-operation."

O2 claimed that the cigarette was extinguished "almost faster than the message to put it out got to stage," but witnesses said there was no evidence Richards was at all ruffled during the opening leg of the band's Bigger Bang tour.

"The pair of them looked every bit the rock 'n' roll legends that they are," one fan said.

The Stones have already been fined £100 for smoking on stage during a gig at Hampden Park in Scotland during the Forty Licks tour, and other musicians, including Pete Doherty, have also defied the ban.

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