The line is painted all the way around the front of the station

The white line has been painted up to the edge of the pavement around the front of the station to mark out the no smoking area under a canopy.

Midland Mainline, who run the station, said it had put the line in place at the request of Derby City Council.

But the city council said Midland Mainline had taken the advice too far.

'Belt and braces'

Councillor Richard Smalley, from Derby City Council, said the council did not specifically tell Midland Mainline to paint the lines but did say the area under the entrance canopy had to be a no smoking zone.

He said: "This is something Midland Mainline has done of its own accord.

"We asked them to assign this area [underneath the canopy] as a non-smoking area and they have decided to adopt a belt and braces approach.

"It is important that they comply with the legislation and the city council is committed by the government to make sure we enforce the legislation. If Midland Mainline wish to adopt this approach, it is their decision to do so."

Midland Mainline declined to make any further comment.