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Thanks to all who tried to help.   The liner was quite  a large one so there is no problem with that.  They also put a cowl on the chimney as there was not one before and the rain always came down.  I am  managing to have a fire as long as I do not make it too big and use very dry logs that dont smoke.  It really gives out a massive amount of heat.  I think perhaps the draw on the chimney is not too good so we will think about a woodburner but not this year.  We have spent too much money on this already.  Anyhow.  Thanks once again for everyone's suggestions.

 -Please has anyone any ideas on my chimney.   We live in the Mayenne area and have a large farmhouse with a very large open fire in the lounge.  Over the past two years we have paid quite a lot of money having a steel shelf and then a canopy put in to draw the fire up and close the very large opening.  When we lit the fire we found that the smoke was coming out in our bedroom which is over the lounge.  Last week - we had a flexible liner put in.  -  IT STILL SMOKES!!! - not in our bedroom anymore but it comes out of the canopy.  It is very strange because for the first half hour after it is lit the smoke goes straight up the chimney.   After an hour when the chimney is hot and the fire is really going and giving out quite a bit of heat  - the smoke starts to seep out around the canopy.  We have tried lifting the basket up so the whole fire is higher but it seems to make no difference.  Has anyone any ideas.  We have spent such a lot of money on this blessed fire and am loath to spend even more in having a woodburner put in.  Any suggestions would be gratefully received.[*-)]