POLICE in Darlington have praised Bank Holiday revellers following a quiet weekend across the town centre pubs.

Officers were bracing themselves for a busy time, but said yesterday that they had been pleased with how drinkers enjoyed the extended weekend without resorting to causing trouble.

Police believe the closed-circuit television (CCTV) system and recently launched PubWatch scheme have helped to bring incidents in the town centre down to a minimum.

Inspector Andy Watson said: "We were expecting a busy time this weekend and although we had our van positioned in the town centre, I was pleased to see there were very few incidents.

"We were no busier than we would normally be on a weekend and we were pleasantly surprised.

"In recent weeks, I believe the drop in incidents in the town centre could be due to the successful CCTV and the PubWatch initiative, which hopes to be expanded in the near future."

PubWatch was relaunched this month and 27 of the 33 town centre pubs are working together, and with the police, to get rid of trouble-makers.

If someone is banned from one pub under the scheme, they are banned from the rest of the pubs.

Steve Walker is the chairperson for the initiative and licensee of Flares, in Skinnergate.

He said: "I am keen to see PubWatch grow. We want this partnership to bring together licensed traders so that we can speak with one voice and take a strong stand against under-age drinking and anti-social behaviour."