EVERY pub and club in Ramsbottom has signed up to become members of a new Pub Watch scheme.

The project means offenders who commit assaults or are involved with drugs on licensed premises could find themselves banned from not just that establishment but every pub and club in the town.

It is the third time police have tried to launch the scheme, but this time it is set to be a success with 27 pubs and clubs putting pen to paper.

Ramsbottom PC Michael Abbott said: "We have set the launch date and inaugural meeting for October 16 at the Grant Arms in Market Place.

"The scheme will cover Ramsbottom, Holcombe, Holcombe Brook, Summerseat and Shuttleworth.

"Every pub and club has signed up and paid a membership fee. They will be displaying a poster to explain their membership and warn people that assaults and drug taking could lead to them being barred from every pub in town."

PC Abbott said Pub Watch had not been set up as a response to a specific problem in the town. However he did add that occasionally there were incidents of assault and damage to shops and cars which were quite often drink-related.

He said: "The scheme will also work by one licensee contacting another to inform them if there is a problem with a customer who may be heading in their direction.

"This has been happening on an informal basis but by setting up the Pub Watch scheme it can be a more structured arrangement and pubs and clubs can exchange ideas and operational systems. We want to be able to police Ramsbottom effectively and properly and this scheme will help."

PC Abbott said the success of the Ramsbottom scheme could lead to further schemes being established to cover the Tottington, Greenmount and Hawkshaw areas.