IT IS being launched with a helping of showbiz-type hype and slogans, but under the gloss the revived initiative to stamp out drink-fuelled night-time disorder in Blackburn town centre is a sensible and welcome step to prevent violence and trouble.

It is a scheme that threatens anyone charged with violence or anti-social behaviour or found drug dealing with being banned from 20 town-centre pubs.

In essence, it is similar to the Burnley Against Night-time Disorder project which bars convicted troublemakers from town-centre pubs for long periods and is mirrored by successful 'Pubwatch' schemes in Accrington, Darwen and Clitheroe.

But with the Pubwatch scheme in Blackburn having waned over the years, the police, licensees and the council have relaunched the initiative with a new name -- 'Bar U' -- and with theme, based on the Austin Powers spoof secret agent films, designed to appeal to drinkers in the 18 to 25 age group.

There is, however, more to the venture than hype and a name change. For this time, it is beefed up by a radio security system connecting town-centre pubs enabling them to share swiftly share information on trouble-makers.

And with 20 pubs -- two thirds of those in the town centre -- already signed up for the scheme its range is extensive, as is the potential 'exclusion zone' that offenders now face.

The effort is complemented by other recent measures -- among them the introduction of taxi 'marshals' and a scheme to train licensees in doormen's skills in order to nip trouble in the bud.

All these and those operating elsewhere in East Lancashire deserve encouragement -- and replication across the region -- for our town centres need to lose the reputation that many have for being the preserve at night of heavy-drinking youths with a tendency for trouble.