A Darlington pub offering cheap drinks to students has been criticised by colleges in the town.

Duke's, on the corner of Duke Street and Skinnergate, started offering beer and lager at discount prices for students on Monday.

Formerly known as Muse, Bertie's and a Berni Inn, the pub is advertising cheap drinks, but it is the lunch time trade that is being particularly targeted. An advertising board promotes the discounts and inviting students to take in their own lunch.

The idea was that of the pub's assistant manager, Dominic Hoggard, who said: "I saw all these students getting sandwiches from the nearby shops, then hanging around outside on the pavement and benches to eat them.

"I thought, why not get them to come in out of the cold, have a pint and listen to some music.

"It's starting to pick up and a lot of the students are bringing their own food in because we don't have a kitchen.

But senior officials at the Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College and Darlington College of Technology fear the lure of cheap drinks could lead to under age drinking.

David Heaton, principal at the sixth form college, said: "The sign is unfortunate, as students should not be enticed into lunch time drinking.

"I would not encourage students of any age to drink alcohol at lunch time and this definitely applies to those at Queen Elizabeth, most of whom are under 18 at this time of year."

Sue Campbell, the college of technology's director of external relations, was also concerned about the prospect of students over-indulging and drinking under age.

She said: "Students who are 18 and over can drink where and when they like, although we would not encourage anybody, staff or students, to drink at lunch time.

"However, we would be deeply concerned at any deliberate attempt to encourage 16-18-year olds to drink at lunch time or any other time."

Mr Hoggard said the pub was not encouraging excess or under age drinking.

He said: "We are not getting them to drink spirits or throw it down their necks. I don't think one drink with their lunch will do much harm."

"They have to produce their student cards, which show their date of birth, so we can guard against under age drinking, which is the last thing we want.

"If the colleges have any concerns I would be quite happy to talk to them about it."

Coun Isobel Hartley, chairman of the borough licensing committee, said: "I was somewhat dismayed when I saw the notice, and thought it was an irresponsible thing to do. I'm not happy that they are offering drink at that price to students.