PUBS and clubs are to pay towards the cost of nine extra police officers to patrol two North-East town centres at weekends.

An extra sergeant and eight other officers will patrol the streets of Stockton and Yarm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

Owners of pubs, clubs and late-night food takeaways will pay some of the costs to Cleveland Police.

The scheme, called Operation Tranquillity, begins tonight and officers will patrol the streets from 10pm until 3am.

They will work the same hours on Saturday and until 1am on Sunday.

The sergeant will work with four officers at Stockton town centre, where about 6,600 revellers pour on to the streets at about 2am at the weekends.

Two officers will patrol the streets of Yarm and a further two will work directly with the Tall Trees nightclub, in Yarm.

More than 20 private establishments have signed up to the police scheme. They pay rates governed by their size and opening times.

Chief Inspector Mick Williams, of Stockton police, said: "The benefit to the licensees and food takeaways who have signed up to Operation Tranquillity means the venue has direct telephone access to a police officer to assist them with any nuisance behaviour, drunkenness and violence immediately, without channelling the call through the police control room.

"The officers will be making regular visits to the premises, building relationships with staff and reinforcing the message to the public that the police are working with the clubs, pubs and takeaways to reduce anti-social behaviour.

"The initiative will be privately funded, with each of the establishments who have signed up paying towards the costs of the additional officers. Take up has been encouraging."

Steve Huxtable, licensee of the Zanzibar Club, in Stockton, said: "Hopefully, this will encourage more people to visit and will also support our responsible drinking campaign."

Alastair Powell, owner of The Keys, in Yarm, said: "We are pleased to be involved as it demonstrates our commitment to the local community as responsible operators. We realise it is essential to run a trouble-free venue in order that we maintain harmony with residents."