Rolling Stones rock O2 by lighting up on stage

Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood drew cheers from the 20,000-strong crowd as they openly flouted the ban during last night's gig and forced frantic stewards to warn onlookers that they would be thrown out if they followed the guitarists' example.

One member of the audience said: "It was a great rock'n'roll moment. Keith looked around nonchalantly, lit up a fag and had it dangling from his mouth as he played a solo. He didn't seem to care and smoked the fag for at least five minutes. People around me started saying, 'Well if he can do it, why can't we?' But the stewards warned them they would be turfed out."

Greenwich Council was today planning to make an example of the venue's owners AEG and show them that performers are not above the law. A council spokesman said: "We will be reminding the O2 of their obligations to enforce the smoking legislation."

The fine for a venue that allows the ban to be flouted is £2,500.

A spokesman from anti-smoking group Ash said: "Unless Keith Richards is going to claim that smoking is an integral part of his performance, he has no defence."

Last night's 2-and-a-half-hour sell-out gig was the first night of the UK leg of the Rolling Stones' A Bigger Bang tour.

O2 bosses are going to ask the band today to curb their rebellious streak for two more gigs planned at the arena for Thursday and Sunday.

It is not the first time that Richards, the flamboyant 63-year-old guitarist, has flouted the smoking ban.

During a gig in Scotland's Hampden Park last year he lit up repeatedly and flicked butts into the crowd but was not fined by Glasgow Council.

A spokeswoman for the O2 said today: "A band member appeared to have a cigarette on stage. We're sure it was an oversight and are grateful for the co-operation."