FESTIVE drinkers will be given a reminder to behave every time they finish a drink in the pub this Christmas.

Clitheroe and Whalley Pubwatch, Clitheroe Police and a local company are joining forces in a beer mat campaign to raise awareness of the clampdown on bad behaviour.

Around 54,000 specially-designed beer mats will flood pubs and clubs in the scheme to alert revellers that if they misbehave they will be banned.

The Pubwatch scheme has been running in the two towns since June last year and has 27 members, including a local nightclub.

Since its introduction, seven people have been banned, with three still currently barred from specified pubs and clubs.

The scheme began following incidents involving pub violence but police have said it was launched to prevent it becoming a serious problem.

Pubwatch members display posters in their pubs, with the distinctive 'Clitheroe and Whalley Pubwatch' logo, which says: "Anyone known to have committed acts of violence, damage or use or deal drugs in any of our members' premises, will be barred from all public houses which are members of the Clith- eroe and Whalley Pub Watch."

People who are banned will have their ban reviewed annually, but the orders can last for life if required.

Sgt Ian Kirk, police co-ordinator of the scheme, said: "The Pubwatch is ext- remely successful and more members are coming on board all the time. Both Whalley and Clitheroe get extremely busy, especially in the run up to Christmas, and we all wanted to raise the profile of the scheme with pub and club-goers. The beer mats will ensure that customers will see and recognise the logo and hopefully bear the consequences in mind if they cause trouble."

The beer mats have been sponsored by a local company, Science in Sport, which is based at Brockhall Village.

The company produces nutritional products, such as isotonic drinks and snacks, and supply the England football team, Premiership football clubs and international athletes.

They have also been selling a nutritional hangover cure 'Headstart' over the internet for the last year, and have many regular buyers. It is purely nutritional and doesn't contain any drugs.

Science in Sport will be advertising the product on the rear of the beer mat.