A SPECIAL ingredient is being used to help trap pubs, clubs and restaurants using cheap substitute spirits to rip off drinkers in the region.

Trading standards officers and spirit manufacturers say almost one in ten licensed premises across the country are cheating people by serving cheaper brands than those on display. This can involve refilling empty bottles of well-known brand spirits with lower quality substitutes.

There is also concern that motorists are being unwittingly pushed over the drink drive limit by being served spirits which are stronger than they think.

But, in an effort to beat the spirit swindlers, some makers of famous names are including an additive in their drink that can be detected by a simple test.

The sugar-based additive has no taste or smell but its presence can be identified within 30 seconds by dipstick testing strips which are being issued to every trading standards service