POLICE and licensees are to meet in the New Year to consider setting up a PubWatch scheme.

Letters from the police in Rossendale West covering the Rawtenstall and Haslingden area will be going out to landlords within the next week inviting them to a meeting at the Astoria Ballroom, Rawtenstall.

The date has not yet been fixed, but is likely to be towards the end of the month.

Local police inspector Roger Ravenscroft said: "We are keen to work in partnership with the local licensees. At this stage it is very much a plan to get together with all the landlords to sit down and discuss how we can help each other."

If a PubWatch scheme is set up it could lead to trouble-makers being banned from all pubs which sign-up to the scheme.

It is hoped a similar scheme will also be set up to cover the Bacup end of the Valley.

Pat Cater, manager of the Maddison Park Wine Bar, Rawtenstall said it was important for members of the licensed trade and police to work hand in glove.