TIME is being called on work-time drinking for a council's staff and members.

The in-house bar at County Hall, Durham, will soon close during the day.

The decision is part of an authority-wide policy on drugs, substance and alcohol misuse agreed by Durham County Council's cabinet yesterday.

It puts an end to alcohol being served at lunch.

But it does not prevent staff going to licensed premises off-site or to private functions in the bar for retirement farewells, anniversaries and official civic events.

Council leader Ken Manton said the introduction of a "dry workplace" was part of a policy to combat the negative effects of substance misuse.

He said: "It doesn't mean that the bar at County Hall is being misused or that there is any sort of problem of excess drinking during working hours.

"As a responsible employer, it is a way of responding to our health and safety commitments to our elected members and staff, and of ensuring the delivery of high-quality services to the community."

He said alcohol cost the UK between 15 and 17 million lost working days each year.

He said: "Apart from contributing towards ill-health statistics, substance misuse can lead to an increased risk of accidents at work, have a poor effect on relationships, behaviour and morale, and lead to reduced work performance.

"If our new policy can help avoid any or all of those, it will be worth it."

A smoking ban is already in force in county council buildings.