A MESSAGE is going out loud and clear to the troublemakers who spoil Barnoldswick's night life - "We don't want you and we won't tolerate you!"

Local pubs and clubs are putting up a united front, working with the police and council to root out the unruly element and expel them from the town.

Under a new joint initiative, anyone banned from one pub in Barnoldswick for a serious offence will be banned from all the pubs and clubs taking part - effectively told they're not welcome in the town.

The blanket ban will last at least 12 months and is designed to make the town centre a safer place.

The new initiative is called BAND - Barnoldswick Against Night-time Disorder - and has the backing of local licensees, the police, Pendle Council and the Pendle Community safety Partnership's West Craven group.

Every pub and club taking part will display a special BAND poster, warning people: "We expel troublemakers from these premises."

The initiative was launched at the Cross Keys, where other premises represented included the Conservative Club, the Fanny Grey, The Green Street club, the Seven Stars, the Anchor Inn at Salterforth, and the Barlick.

Licensees from those and other pubs and clubs have been working with police and local councillors to work up the scheme.

Barnoldswick police sergeant Peter Henderson explained: "The minimum ban is 12 months and the scheme is aimed specifically at any offences of violence towards pub licensees, staff or customers, any drug offences and under-age drinking.

"That means violence in or around licensed premises, connected with drinking, and the bans can be longer, at the licensees' discretion.

"I think it will be a real deterrent to troublemakers, who could find themselves n the magistrates' court if they ignore the ban.

"Licensees in and around Barnoldswick are taking a very responsible attitude and have been very supportive of this initiative.

"In return we will be there to support them in implementing it."

Inspector Richard Morgan added: "This is the sort of partnership that we are keen to be involved with, working closely with others to make Barnoldswick a safer place to live.

"We've quickly learned that the police cannot solve some of these problems on their own.

"There has to be a united front shown and a clear indication to people who cause problems through anti-social behaviour that it will not be tolerated."

The BAND initiative is being combined with a new "Pubwatch" scheme, generated by Barnoldswick Town Centre Forum. It is an extension of the town centre radio scheme, with participating pubs and clubs being issued with a two-way radio. It puts them immediately in contact with police officers in the event of trouble and allows them to monitor any incidents at other pubs and clubs in the town and react accordingly.

Money for the radios has come from the licensees themselves, plus a £1,000 grant from the Police Authority Development Fund. The town centre radio scheme was initially set up for shops in the town, with several of them having the two-way radios, and some of the ongoing costs are covered by Pendle Council.