LICENSEES and police are to call time on booze-fuelled crime with the launch of new pub watch scheme in Nelson and Barrowford.

The Nelson and Barrowford Pub Watch scheme comes into effect on Tuesday and will involve licensees and police working together to curb alcohol-related crime.

And today the owner of two of the premises involved in the scheme threw his weight behind the initiative.

Stephen Hindley, 42, who owns the Trafalgar Hotel in Nelson and the Victoria Hotel in Barrowford, said: "I'm totally in agreement with the scheme. Anything that stops trouble has to be welcomed."

The initiative will be similar to a number of schemes in force across East Lancashire including Burnley, Padiham and Rossendale.

Officers and licensees will meet regularly to swap information. And a radio system will be installed in pubs so landlords can keep in touch to identify and deter potential troublemakers - for example, by warning other pubs if trouble makers have left a pub and are heading to another.

Yobs committing criminal acts or anti-social behaviour can be banned for up to a year and will have their photographs circulated to all members in the scheme.

Community beat manager PC Jonathan Whitehead said: "So far 13 premises have signed up to take part and we're looking forward to working with them to address issues of crime and disorder in and around pubs and clubs in Nelson and Barrowford."

Premises taking part in the scheme are: Station Hotel, Lord Nelson, Clayton Arms, Derby Hotel, Bull Hotel, Golden Ball, Trafalgar Hotel, Shooters Arms, Hour Glass, Victoria Hotel, Good Night Club, Netherfield Club and George & Dragon.