PLANS to call time on pub happy hours to stop drunken street violence have met a mixed reaction on Teesside.

Government ministers have proposed cutting out cheap happy hours in an attempt to prevent binge drinking.

But leading community safety experts in Cleveland have given a mixed response to the proposal - despite evidence that drink-related problems in the area are increasing.

Cleveland police already has a policy of opposing the opening of new pubs in areas of the county, saying that already thousands of drinkers pour on the same streets at the same time on Friday and Saturday nights.

And South Tees NHS Trust this year appointed its first alcohol liaison nurse after experiencing a dramatic rise in the number of men in their 20s and 30s entering hospital with alcohol problems.

A recent survey found that nine out of ten 14 to 24-year-olds drink at the weekends, a large number admitting they often drink more than they can handle.

However, Dave McLuckie, lead councillor for community safety on Redcar and Cleveland Council, rejected the idea of banning happy hours.

The councillor, who has helped establish a number of pilot programmes to reduce anti-social behaviour, said: "Happy hours aren't much of a problem. Most pubs are actually very empty during a happy hour.

"Stopping promotions would probably be the death knell of some pubs and we'd just have more chain pubs.

"You also have to look at the phenomenal cost of enforcing something like that.

"A far more serious problem is our antiquated licensing hours.

"We've all seen people buying three drinks each as last orders approaches. If you changed the licensing laws people would drink at a sensible pace, instead of bingeing."

A spokeswoman for Cleveland police said the force was looking at the issue but that it was too early for a formal response.

However, she said drink-related crime was a growing problem across the county and police already had a policy of opposing many new pubs from opening.

The proposal to ban happy hours has come as a new Licensing Bill goes through parliament. The bill, if passed, would allow for 24-hour drinking.

Ministers who want a ban on happy hour drinking propose that councils and licensing boards negotiate a set price for drinks with landlords.

Councils would also pass bylaws to restrict drinks promotions.

No-one could be contacted from the Teesside Victuallers Association.