SEVEN licensees have been warned by police for allowing after time drinking in their pubs.

And two of them, both in the Prestwich area, have also received strongly worded written cautions for allowing drugs to be consumed by customers.

The seven people and their respective pubs, which have not been identified by police, were highlighted in a report to the borough's licensing committee by the head of Bury police, Chief Superintendent Phil Hollowood.

The written warnings were logged during 2001 in Prestwich, Radcliffe, Ramsbottom and Unsworth. Eighteen other landlords and landladies in the borough were given lesser verbal warnings relating to breaches of the licensing laws

Two Radcliffe publicans also face prosecution in the courts, one for after time offences and the other for serving alcohol to children.

Chief Supt Hollowood warned licensees that action will be taken in the future to ensure all pubs and clubs in the borough are run legally.

He said: "I remind all licensees that they will continue to be monitored and that they should not neglect their responsibility to the community at large."