HE was one of the first in the UK to sell electronic cigarettes and now a Winwick businessman is ahead of the trend again opening one of the first vape cafes.

Chris Bowman, who launched Crystal Clear Vapours on Warrington Market to help people quit smoking, has now opened American diner Shake 'N' Vape on Horsemarket Street in the town centre.

Chris, who makes his own e-liquids in a lab in Appleton, said: "I've always wanted to open an American diner and thought it would be something unique in the town.

"There's nothing like it in the UK and we have been on e-cig forums where people are calling it the best in the country."

The diner does not allow anyone under 18 to vape on the premises but Chris says a number of families with children have already visited.

He added: "Some people have come in who don't even vape themselves and haven't even noticed it.

"You're always going to get people who don't like it but this is something unique."

It adds to a busy few weeks for the 33-year-old who was also invited down to the Houses of Parliament yesterday, Wednesday, to represent vapers and help shape new regulations regarding the sale of e-cigarettes.

He added: "I manufacture my own e-liquids and supply most of the north west so I was invited to a meeting about how things can go forward.

"The government didn't know what e-cigarettes were until I brought them out so I've got far more experience with the market and what the most popular flavours are and the strength of nicotine."

Chris launched the business with wife Camilla, who died in 2013, after she was diagnosed with breast cancer to help other people stop smoking.

He said: "If you had told me where I would be with the business four years ago I wouldn't believe it.

"It's nice to be able to continue what Camilla started.

"She stopped a lot of people from smoking and I would never have had this business if it wasn't for her.

"There were only 50,000 people using e-cigarettes in the UK when we started and now that figure is going up to 3.5million."