A visit to JD Wetherspoon pubs in the Bradford area could soon result in customers washing their mouths out with soap and water instead of their cheap ales.

Restrictions are planned to be made across all 650 music-free Wetherspoon outlets in the country causing drinkers to face possible eviction from the pubs if they are heard using foul language.

Wetherspoons' spokesman Eddie Gershon said: "Follow-ing the receipt of numerous customer letters stressing 'we like your pubs but sometimes there is just too much swearing', we have responded by deciding to ask managers to regulate excessive bad language".

It is proposed that first-time offenders will be forced to use a swear box and following repeated swearing offences managers will be authorised to ask foul-mouthed drinkers to leave the premises.

Danny Thompson, duty manager of Wetherspoons' Sir Titus Salt pub in Bradford, said he was unaware of the proposals, but said: "It's what happens in pubs, people get giddy and they swear.

"We are quite strict with customers about noise anyway because we have no music and if someone is effing and blinding I will give them a warning.

"I can't see it really making a difference and if I had to spend all my time marking down when a customer swears I'd have no time to serve them - we could end up losing customers if regulations were too strict."

Other Bradford licensees were sceptical whether the ban would expand beyond the Wetherspoons chain.

Wayne Wright, assistant manager of Brooks Bar in Ivegate, said: "When people have a drink they tend to do or say things they shouldn't."

"I can understand why Wetherspoons might have made the move because there is no music and a customer's every word can be heard, but I don't believe that the ban would be a good idea in other bars."

And Dean Loynes, chairman of the Bradford Inner City Licensees' Association said: "I think it is a futile task.

"You expect everyone to be polite and courteous and you can always ask but I think it is merely a gimmick that won't work."