LANDLORDS in South West Burnley are the latest group to unite together in a bid to bar troublemakers.

The latest Pub Watch initiative is to be launched in the area next week, after a number of similar schemes were hailed as a huge success across East Lancashire.

Six pubs in South West Burnley have signed up to the initiative, including the Fleece Inn, The Alma, The General Scarlett and The Wood Top, all in Accrington Road, have teamed up with The Shepard's Arms in Cog Lane and the Gretna Green Hotel in Coal Clough Lane in a bid to wipe out violence and anti-social behaviour in and around their premises.

Community beat officers PC Justin Brown and PC Jeff Dickinson, came up with the idea for the new scheme and are promising tough action to deal with any troublemakers.

PC Brown said: "The aim of the new Pub Watch scheme is to reduce the number of violent incidents and the amount of anti-social behaviour.

"Under the new initiative, anyone involved in acts of serious assault, violence or disorder inside or outside will face a ban for life from all the pubs taking part and, if appropriate, police action.

"Similar schemes have been very successful, significantly in reducing the amount of violence and disorder.

"We are confident that, in partnership with local licensees, we can replicate this success."

PC Dickinson said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with local licensees on this.

"All the pubs involved are very enthusiastic about it and highly supportive of our work to reduce disorder."

Burnley councillor Granville Lord sits on the licensing committee and is the coordinator for Padiham Pub Watch.

He said: "We had a Christmas clampdown that saw only two minor incidents in Padiham.

"Our scheme has been a great success and if the new one in South West Burnley is handled in the same way, idiots will go elsewhere. The other benefit is that it frees up valuable police time."

The manageress of the General Scarlett, Lynne Murton, said: "We don't have a lot of trouble here, but you never know. I think is is a good idea and by working together we can achieve more."