NEWCASTLE has become the first city in the UK to slap a late-night drinking levy on its bars and clubs in a bid to get rid of its "Geordie Shore" image.

They will be forced to pay up to £4,400 - or face a midnight booze ban.

Councillors are fighting back against the city's alcohol binge reputation, fuelled by MTV's hit show "Geordie Shore", which sees its cast members party, booze and get raunchy in the city.

But they say bars and clubs who do not wish to pay the fee will have options.

Councillor Joyce McCarty said: “Individual businesses who do not want to pay for the late-night levy do have choices, they do not need to open between midnight and 6am."

The controversial levy – which will see bars face new fees of between £299 and £4,400 a year from November 1 for late-night opening – is being introduced to help deal with alcohol-fuelled problems in Britain’s party capital.

It is hoped the money made from the fees – which could total up to £400,000 – will help the council and police deal with crime and disorder in the city.

More than 60 bars and clubs have already objected to the levy, deeming it “unfair” and an unnecessary expense.

Damian Conway, chairman of Newcastle’s Pubwatch scheme, said: “I know the ‘Geordie Shore’ series has given the city a bit of a bad reputation, but what happens on it doesn’t represent what happens in Newcastle in reality – it’s like a pantomime.”

He said he thought most of the city centre’s 407 licensees would pay the late-night levy.