A PUB chain is backing calls for Newport licensees to take more responsibility when offering cheap drinks to customers.

After Prime Minister Tony Blair hit out against binge drinking last April, Wetherspoon pubs across the UK scrapped discounts on spirit doubles and two for one offers.

The alcohol content in jugs of cocktails has also been reduced from six shots to four.

Paul McDonnell and Anne Rondel are joint managers of the John Wallace Linton Wetherspoon pub on Cambrian Road.

Mr McDonnell said: "We support calls for sensible pricing and we are doing everything we can to control the binge drinking problem."

Last month, the Argus reported how several Newport pubs and clubs were calling for an end to offers that encouraged binge drinking, such as pound-a-pint offers and free drink nights.

Licensees believed sensible pricing would cut anti-social behaviour in the city.

The move followed calls for an end to the binge-drinking culture by Newport's top policeman, Chief Superintendent Kevin Price.

Mr McDonnell has been at the John Wallace Linton for three years. He said: "The majority of our business is food so we are not encouraging people to fall over the tables.

"Our pricing was very competitive when we came to Newport, but the prices have risen. He said the cheapest drinks offered at Wetherspoons were traditional ales, which were drunk by older generations less likely to be anti-social or violent through drink.

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: "Since all the furore over binge drinking in April we don't do two for one offers or incentives for getting doubles. "We still have a good drinks range which are cheap but they are sensibly priced.

"We aim to bring in everyone from 18 to 80 and even older, not just youngsters out to get drunk.

"We do have prices that are less than elsewhere but people are not going to our three Wetherspoon pubs in Newport just to binge drink."

He disagreed with the idea of setting up minimum prices for licensees in an area as it could create cartels that would leave the customers out of pocket.