NEWPORT licensees are calling on all pubs and clubs in the city centre to take more responsibility when offering cheap drinks to revellers.

Newport Pub Watch member Iftekhar Haris, who runs the OTT nightclub and Meze Lounge bar, in Market Street, believes more sensible pricing will cut anti-social behaviour.

He says 'pound a pint' offers and free drinks nights should be scrapped to discourage people from binge drinking.

Mr Haris said: "If everyone followed established sensible pricing we could cut anti-social behaviour in Newport."

Mr Haris suggested any drink promotions should be stopped before 11pm to ensure revellers were not encouraged to drink more.

He said his own outlets restricted promotions to midweek.

Mr Haris says he will be raising the issue of sensible drink pricing at the next meeting of Newport Pub Watch in the coming weeks.

He added: "In mainland Europe there is a more relaxed attitude to drinking, where people can sit and eat, rather than be packed in with music so loud you can't talk."

Newport Pub Watch secretary John Pisani, who runs The Greyhound pub, in High Street, said: "From a personal viewpoint I would say licensees would not be against fixed pricing - such as a minimum cost of £1.50 a drink.But we would have to be careful we are not breaking the law, and would need clearance from the Office of Fair Trading."

He said his pub was opposite Wetherspoons, so had to offer relatively cheap drinks - £1.55 for a pint of bitter and £1.75 for lager.

Yale Bryan, the landlord at The Alexandra, in Commercial Road, said: "Anything to stop binge drinking we are in favour of, such as stopping '£10 in and free drinks all night' events."

Newport's Chief Superintendent Kevin Price said: "The thrust of our message is really striking the balance between acceptable marketing and blatant encouragement to consume alcohol to unacceptable levels, which contributes to crime and disorder."