RECENT fights centred around Ledbury pubs have led licensees and Police to launch a new campaign called "Behave or be Banned".

It has won the backing of every pub in town and by today 50 posters will be on display in Ledbury telling drinkers of the new regime.

People involved in violence in or around a licensed premises, found selling drugs in a pub or causing wilful damage there, will find themselves banned from every bar in town for a minimum of 12 months.

The posters have been issued by Ledbury police, following consultations with Andy Ward, of The Talbot Hotel, who is licensee liaison official for the existing Pub Watch scheme.

Mr Ward said: "This has been on the cards for several months but recent events have made it more important. This is to keep pubs and clubs trouble free places for the community.

"If anyone opts out, wanting to serve yobbish people, then it's on their heads."

Police and publicans plan to assess the initial impact of the scheme in five weeks' time.

PC Steve Thomas, licensing officer for West Mercia Constabulary, has promised that police will remove any banned customer who refuses to go.

In extreme cases, publicans and police could seek court orders, meaning that a ban would be legally enforced by the courts, with penalties should it be broken.

Ten people were involved in a fight at the Feathers Hotel during a music festival on the August Bank Holiday weekend. Four were taken to hospital.

Last Saturday evening there was a fight at The Bull in the High Street.

Police spokesman Georgie Bates said there was an "altercation" between locals and a group of rugby players from the Coventry area. One man suffered head injuries. No complaints were received by those involved and no arrests were made.