LICENSEES in four neighbouring communities are calling time on unruly behaviour in their pubs and clubs.

The Trimdon Pub and Club Watch scheme, incorporating Fishburn, wants to make the community safer inside and outside of pub premises.

About 95 per cent of licensed premises in Trimdon Village, Trimdon Colliery, Trimdon Grange and Fishburn, signed up to the scheme yesterday.

Landlords are now warning drinkers that if they step out of line they could face a ban from all member premises.

Members will meet every month to discuss any incidents and decide how to deal with disruptive customers, which may mean issuing a caution or a ban.

The consequences for the worst offenders could be far-reaching as, once established, the group will link up with neighbouring schemes and consider extending bans.

Chairman Gordon Wright said: "We all want to provide a nice environment for people to have a drink or meal.

"It will also protect staff from abuse and difficult situations and our premises from damage. We don't have a big problem in this area, but we certainly don't want it to get any bigger."

Police have pledged their support and will assist staff to eject barred drinkers if necessary and provide photographs of convicted offenders.

Beat officer PC Keith Todd said: "It is a positive step forward for the community and public support will be important.

"It should improve the environment and reassure people that if they go out they can expect to be safe and not face unacceptable behaviour.

"There is a very small minority of people that can spoil things for everyone, hopefully swift co-ordinated action from the pub and club watch can nip any problems in the bud."

PC Todd hopes that as it becomes more widely known about, the scheme will act as a deterrent and encourage customers to be responsible drinkers.

The initiative will link up with the police's nationwide Nightsafe Campaign which aims to stop binge-drinking and alcohol-fuelled violence.