THAT police in Blackburn and Darwen will soon have the power to prevent people with a criminal past from being "bouncers" at pubs and clubs is a sensible and welcome development.

The only wonder is that this scheme - similar to ones already operating in Burnley and other Lancashire towns - was not in operation long ago.

For the previous casual control of doormen at town-centre nightspots has produced incidents of violence and, in some towns and cities, has led to the bouncer profession being seen as an arm of the drugs underworld.

Vetting, then, is an evident necessity, but it is also a measure which sensible pub and club owners must regard, not as an interference in their businesses, but one which works for their benefit.

For if a place becomes known for violence, the business and the town-centre economy suffers.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.