DRINKERS who cause trouble in Earby and Kelbrook will suffer the same fate as those in neighbouring towns by being banned from pubs for a possible 12 months.

The new Earby Pub Watch scheme was launched this week as a follow-up to similar ones in Burnley, Colne and Barnoldswick, and has been warmly welcomed by landlords.

Included are the White Lion, Red Lion, Earby Conservative Club, Earby Cricket Club, Punch Bowl, Earby Sports and Social Club, Station Hotel, Central WM, Craven Heifer, Old Stone Trough, and Redman's Off Licence in Victoria Road.

PC Bryan Pepper, who co-ordinated the scheme with PC Helen Danson, said: "It has been warmly received throughout Earby and Kelbrook.

"All the pubs have joined and are keen to get it up and running. We have agreed that everyone who is barred from Barnoldswick would automatically be barred from Earby.

"If someone misbehaves in one pub and the landlord believes it warrants being barred, he will inform all the other pubs and an interim ban can be served by the police.

"They will be informed of the next meeting of the committee where the matter will be discussed. If they wish, the person will be given the opportunity to put forward their point of view and a decision will be made on the punishment.

"If they try to enter the pub again or misbehave it is likely they will get the full 12 months ban. The principle of the scheme is to keep the public free from trouble. If there is someone who misbehaves in a pub in Earby, then hopefully this will be a deterrent."

Chairman of the group will be Bill Taylor, of the Red Lion; vice chairman Nicola Turnbull, of the Sports and Social Club; secretary Jack Farrow, of Earby Conservative Club.

Mr Taylor said: "I think it's a great idea. A pub is meant for people to socialise and they want to do that in comfortable surroundings and don't want people coming in who are liable to cause problems.

"These schemes are springing up in various areas and it is understandable that when people are banned from somewhere like Barnoldswick or Colne, they end up in the next nearest place. I think the scheme will be beneficial for everyone."