Calderdale Council has received national recognition for a scheme aimed at encouraging licensees to behave in a responsible manner.

The Council was one of seven local authorities from across the country to receive a special mention in the Responsible Drink Retailing Awards run by Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services.

The Welcome to Calderdale initiative gives new licensees a point of contact with the Council's licensing team and provides them with the tools they need to promote the responsible retailing of alcohol, including details on the Pubwatch scheme, posters explaining the Challenge 21 scheme and training policies on alcohol sales to those underage or drunk, disorder and violence, and drugs, among other things.

The Calderdale scheme was described as excellent by the judges.