PUBS and bars will be shut down if they promote binge-drinking when council bosses assume control of licensing next year.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has pledged to stamp out the problem in town centres - and come down hard on landlords who promote excessive boozing.

Thanks to the Licensing Act, councils across the country will tale control of all licensing issues from magistrates from next year. All licensees will have to re-apply for licences to continue operating.

And those in the Blackburn and Darwen area will have to set out what sort of offers they intend to introduce and prove they have considered the effects they could have on the community.

Happy hours, two-for-one promotions and other offers will all have to be justified and the possible consequences evaluated. If outlets break away from the set business plans and are found to be causing problems triggered by binge drinking, licences will be removed.

Coun Jim Blackburn, chairman of the licensing committee, said: "We have a policy document which sets out that we will not tolerate bars promoting binge-drinking.

"We have the power to revoke licences and we will use that power to make the town centres safe."

Coun Ron O'Keeffe, a Labour councillor, said: "It is very important that this is enforced because we have to have an end to this obsession with drinking 10 pints in quick succession."

But Tory Coun Paul McGurty said: "I don't think it is watertight enough. We should be saying what is and isn't acceptable."

And fellow Tory John Williams said: "All it takes is one pub to ask to open 24 hours and we'll have them all doing it. We have to take a tough stance."

A spokesman for Blackburn with Darwen Council said: "This authority recognises the problems associated with binge drinking and encourages approaches to ensure responsible drinks promotions to be incorporated into the operating schedules.

"The authority will view dimly any premises associated with, or individual convicted of, offences associated with alcohol sales. In these circumstances it is likely that any licence will be subject to review by the authority."

Jemma Jones, one of the council's lawyers, said it was impossible to give a hard and fast rule on what constituted a responsible drinks promotion, and that each case would be treated on its merits.

However, the new system will give police the power to object at any time.

Last month, they made the licensees of Bar Ibiza in Mincing Lane, Blackburn, take down a sign promoting cheap drinks amid fears it could encourage binge boozing.

A spokesman for the police said they were working with the council to ensure the laws were used to create a safe night economy.

Adrian Garner, manager of Bar Ibiza, said: "We don't want to encourage binge drinking but with some pubs offering 99p pints it is very hard to compete."

Hugh Litherland, of the town's Licensed Victuallers' Association, declined to comment.