TWENTY people have been barred from pubs in two County Durham towns during the first year of a scheme to crack down on loutish behaviour.

Organisers of the Pubwatch projects in Seaham and Peterlee are celebrating a successful 12 months in which membership has now passed the 50 mark.

The schemes were set up last January to deter trouble-makers, improve the local drinking environments and ensure close liaison between the police and bar managers across the two east Durham towns.

Meetings are held every four to six weeks.

In the first 12 months, 20 people have been barred from pubs in the two towns, the exclusions ranging from three months to a year.

The force's passive drugs dogs, golden labradors Jake and Dibley, have been extensively used to deter pub and clubgoers from taking illegal substances into premises.

When the dogs detect the presence of drugs they sit passively in front of the suspect, who can then be searched by a police officer.

Colin Clarke, chairman for the 22-strong Seaham Pubwatch, said while the police had played a major part in setting up the scheme, its long-term future was very much in the hands of licensees themselves.

"Our members have throughout the year actively sought to rid the pubs of persistent trouble-makers.

"And although the fall in the number of incidents cannot be down solely to the creation of Pubwatch, we believe it has played a major part.''

At Peterlee Pubwatch, which has 29 members, chairman Tom Naisbett said: "The introduction of the scheme has had a calming influence on the people in this area, they know they can't get away with drunken, violent behaviour.

"The use of the police drugs dogs going to pubs and clubs is something which was badly needed and is fully supported by licensees in Peterlee.''

Any bar or club managers interested in joining the scheme can ring PC Steve Holden on 0191-375 2342