A LEYLAND landlord who chased a violent customer from his pub says he's been let down by the police in his hour of need.

Licensee Chris Lee, 37, who runs the George IV public house, made a citizen's arrest after a man began smashing furniture following an argument with his girlfriend.

Mr Lee and a regular of the pub in Towngate chased the thug out at about 10.45pm Monday, and led him to the police station, a few hundred yards away.

He said: "A young lad fell out with his girlfriend. He kicked the table over and smashed the chair and ran out of the pub. We found him by the library and took him to the police station where we rang the bell."

According to Mr Lee, they waited at the police station for about 15 minutes but no-one answered. He even went outside and tried to call on the emergency telephone but it did not work.

"There was nobody at the police station so the lad got away," said Mr Lee.

"There was another man there at the same time who'd just had a motorbike accident and wanted to report it, but he couldn't do that either because there were no officers."

The incident comes as police in Leyland are celebrating the success of the pubwatch scheme -- a joint police and publican initiative to deter troublemakers from the town's boozers.

But the new scheme, started in May this year, can only cope with five pubs on its books currently and these are largely in the Seven Stars area of the town.

Pubwatch co-ordinator Sergeant Neil Sladen, of Leyland police, says it helps reduce drunken and violent behaviour by putting the offender on a 'banned list' known to others in the scheme.

One publican who has felt the benefits of pubwatch is Bob Parker, 54, licensee of The Crofters, Leyland Lane, for the past nine years, who was on the receiving end of an assault on his premises last month.

Mr Parker said: "I've never had any trouble before. This is a good pub and many middle aged and old people come here and I want my regulars to feel comfortable when they have a drink and not to feel threatened when they go home. This scheme can put a few minds at rest."

While police make plans to extend the scheme across the town Mr Lee, who has run the George IV for nine years, says he is keen to join the scheme and is waiting for the nod from the boys in blue.

Divisional commander, Chief Superintendent Paul Harry, said the station's emergency telephone was tested on Wednesday and was working.

He said officers are investigating the situation earlier this week when Mr Lee says he could not get through to police.

Mr Harry said: "I am making arrangements for one of the officers to speak to Mr Lee."

Leyland Police Station is open between 8am and 10pm Monday to Thursday and Sunday. On Friday and Saturday it is open between 8am and midnight. The telephone is for the public to use out-of-hours when the office isn't manned.