MORE than 110 troublemakers are barred from pubs and clubs in Colne, Barnoldswick and Earby, it has been revealed.

Hardline pub watch schemes across the three Pendle towns, which name and shame the worst offenders, have signalled a drop in violence on licensed premises, say police.

Life bans are being served by 22 problems drinkers in Colne, and a further 10 face a similar sanction across West Craven, which also covers neighbouring Salterforth.

Under the Colne scheme, 23 will see their bans expire this year and a further 23 must wait until 2010 to return to their locals.

One ban ends in 2011 and four are serving five-year bans until 2013.

In Barnoldswick and Earby, 31 people are serving temporary bans, some of which expire within weeks. But 17 on the excluded list must wait until either 2010 or 2011.

Public notices across the towns spell out exactly who is barred – and licensees say customers can prove helpful in pointing out ban servers who might try to sneak a pint in an unfamiliar bar.

Basic offences, attracting a 12 month penalty, might include being drunk and disorderly, causing criminal damage or fighting.

Being caught with drugs or taking illegal substances can attract minimum bans ranging from six months to two years.

Drug dealing and violent attacks on pub staff, taxi drivers and members of the emergency services can result in life bans.

Andrea Lee, of the Cross Keys in Barnoldswick and vice-chairman of the scheme for the town and nearby Earby, said: "People realise that they cannot start trouble and get away with it."

The West Craven scheme has 24 pubs and clubs and 11 off licences and service stations signed up as members.

Noel Buckley, of the Crown Hotel in Albert Road, Colne, said the town’s scheme – Communities Against Night-Time Disorder - had had a noticeable effect on problem drinking PC Mark Driver, of the Pennine division licensing unit, said: "The schemes are extremely-well run in both areas and the meetings are always well-attended.

"If people are banned then they are kept out."

The schemes had been responsible for helping to reduce crime and disorder on licensed premises, he added.

People serving bans, or those accused of misbehaving, can plead their cases. Life bans are reviewed every five years.