PLASTIC glasses are set to be introduced in pubs and bars in a town centre following the tragic death of a young man.

‘Jay Jay’ Livesey Taylor, 23, of Darwen, died after he was was stabbed in the neck with a champagne glass outside the Esco-Bar, in The Green, Darwen on January 28 just after 1am.

Bars group Darwen Bar-U, in conjunction with Lancashire Police and Blackburn with Darwen Council, has put forward a proposal to bring in plastic glasses at around 20 bars and pubs across the town centre.

Under the proposals, drinks served after 11pm would be in plastic glasses.

Leon Kelly, who is the chairman of Bar-U and owner of Level One nightclub, said the new scheme could be introduced as early as May at a recent Darwen Pub Watch meeting.

He said the members of Bar-U got together following the ‘tragic’ death of the 23-year-old man.

He said: “What happened was absolutely tragic and it makes people stand up and look at what they can do.

“We want to make sure it’s all glass-free after 11pm and look after the customers.”

Mr Kelly also confirmed that a new radio scheme, which will link up with other licensees in the town and identify any problems, will be up and running in Darwen in May too.

Jason Rothwell, who runs Artisan Cafe and Wine Bar Ltd, in Bridge Street, said they are in support of the initiative and would be introducing plastic glasses in agreement with the other pubs in May.

Blackburn with Darwen Cllr Phil Riley, who is the executive member for the regeneration portfolio, said: “The people who understand the issues are people like Leon who run late-night event places and if he thinks it’s a good idea then it’s only right for us to support it.”

Meanwhile, Hyndburn Council has also joined forces with police to write to pubs, bars and restaurants in the borough to ask them to consider using polycarbonate plastic drinking vessels instead of glasses to serve drinks after 11pm.

Cllr Melissa Fisher, chair of the licensing committee, said: “Our hearts go out to this young man’s family and we welcome any safety measures to stop anything like this happening in Hyndburn.

“We hope that many local licensed premises will use polycarbonate vessels instead of glasses after 11pm.”

Sgt Jason Middleton, of Lancashire Police, said: “We fully support the use of plastic glasses in licensed premises and in particular at the weekend and would urge all licence holders in Hyndburn to support this safety measure.

“We want everyone to enjoy a safe night out and hope business owners will co-operate with this request.”