DRINKERS in a North-East city will face pub door breath tests for the first time tonight.

Revellers face being asked to take a breath test before being admitted to six pubs in Durham city centre.

Door staff will be free to turn them away if they are more than twice the drink drive limit.

The crackdown comes after three Durham University students – Euan Coulthard, Sope Peters and Luke Pearce – drowned in the River Wear within 15 months.

Police say reckless drinking was a factor in all three deaths.

Terry Collins, chair of the City Safety Group, said: “Whilst we appreciate this pilot is of significant public interest I would also like to make the point that it is just one of a wide range of measures we have introduced.

“We are working with the licensed trade and all our safety group partners to ensure our city stays safe, but I would reiterate that ultimately responsibility for how much you drink lies with the individual.”

The pilot will run at The John Duck, The Fighting Cocks, Whisky River, Jimmy Allens, Wiff Waff and Loveshack.