SOME town centre pubs and clubs are still encouraging binge drinking with all inclusive deals and cheap drinks in a bid to tempt more custom, despite harsh warnings from police.

Blackpool's Chief Supt Richard Taylor told licensing magistrates last week at the annual licensing meeting that such drinks promotions fuelled town centre violence and crime.

He added that the police would be cracking down on those responsible and a "hard-line approach will be adopted against those premises where a link can be proved between these promotions and instances of violence."

Chief Supt Taylor's comments came a week after The Citizen first highlighted the problem of binge drinking and its link to town centre violence and under-age drinking.

But just days after the police chief spoke out the Palace nightclub on Blackpool Promenade announced a Valentine special tomorrow night (Friday) where a £10 entry free entitles clubbers to all drinks free for the night for members and £12 for non-members.

The Waterfront nightclub, the Boom Boom Room, Jellies and Linekers bar are among the Blackpool venues who still run cheap drinks promotions such as double and triple your money.

Double and triple your money nights allow people to pay an entrance fee and then drink double or triple the value of the entrance price.

A spokesperson for the Waterfront said: "We have met with the police at all levels and co-operate with them in any way we can.

"We do not believe in or encourage binge drinking and to date the police have not spoken to us about any promotional event.

"We will liaise with the police to remove their concerns if they have any."

Club Heaven and Hell on the Prom say they stopped running all inclusive nights at the beginning of December.

Chief Supt Taylor said: "I am aware that despite the warnings we have given there are still some venues continuing with cheap drinks promotions and all inclusive drinking.

"My officers will continue to examine the legal position and monitor offences that occur in and around those premises.

"We hope that all managers, licensees and brewery representatives will realise our sole purpose is to reduce crime and make Blackpool a nicer place to visit."

Town Centre Licensees' Forum spokesman Joe Curran said: We can't dictate to the licensees, but following the directive from the chief supt we would hope they would have a social responsibility and not ignore the warning."

The Palace nightclub management was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.