A NEWPORT nightclub manager today defended a £5, five-hour, all-you-can drink offer after police warned it could promote binge drinking.

Hundreds of student revellers turned up for the promotion at Escapade last Wednesday. The club is repeating its Bounce event tomorrow.

Manager Steve Dew said customers were only served one drink at a time and must return their glass or bottle to the bar before being given another.

"The only way you get your next drink is if you bring back your empty bottle or glass,’’ he said.

"That enables us to make sure no one drinks to excess and if someone was seen to be drinking to excess we could put a block on it, and that was explained to them on the door.

"I am not the first to do an all-inclusive and I definitely won't be the last to do an all-inclusive.’’ He said the night, publicised by word-of-mouth among local students, was bringing much-needed customers to other nearby pubs and bars on an otherwise quiet night.

"The town benefited by bringing 600 people into the town,’’ said Mr Dew, who has 20 years in the licence trade.

"If this started going sour on a Wednesday night I would pull it.’’ There were no reports of trouble inside or outside the 1,600-capacity venue after the 10pm-to-3am promotion, he added.

Insp Rod Grindlay, of Gwent Police, said: "We are in discussion with the licence trade and are aware of the situation.

"We would discourage such drinks promotions as they could be seen to be promoting irresponsible binge drinking.

"We will monitor the situation and if there are any associated issues with crime and disorder if necessary we will take action against individuals or the licensed premises as appropriate.’’