DRINKERS are being reminded to be on their best behaviour - or face a blanket ban from the town's pubs.

The Pubwatch scheme was originally set up by police, publicans and the council to fight the problem of rowdy and unruly drinkers.

But with a new generation of drinkers now taking their place at the bar the initiative is now being relaunched.

Under the Pubwatch scheme troublemakers face social exclusion by being banned from ALL pubs and bars signed up to the scheme.

In the last five months alone police served banning notices on three men.

And they have warned that unless drinkers behave they too will be shut out.

PC Andrew Murray, responsible for licensing, said: "Some of the licensees have been telling people if you don't behave we'll ban you. But, people are unaware of what can happen and think that as every pub can choose to let in who they want if someone is causing trouble in one they can move onto another.

"Maybe young people who are 18 or 19 years old and have only recently started drinking don't realise.

"The impact is making people who go out in Wilmslow behave themselves because if they don't behave in one pub they'll be banned from all the establishments.

"It's an incentive for people to behave - if they know they will be banned from all pubs in Wilmslow they'll think twice about causing trouble in any pub."

Pubs signed up to the scheme have a radio link to the CCTV centre at Macclesfield, who can get in direct contact with the police ensuring a quicker response.

Licensees and a police representative then meet up every six weeks to discuss any problems or issues and any individuals they want banned from their premises.

The relaunch will be complimented with a poster campaign advising drinkers about the pubwatch scheme.

Anyone found to have committed a crime could end up in court, but it is not only criminal offences that could lead to a ban. Anyone causing a nuisance to licensees faces the ban if the group agrees it is warranted.

Most importantly though the idea of the scheme is to make sure the town is a welcoming place to go out at night.

"We want people to know that Wilmslow is a safe place to eat and drink", said Steve Bate, landlord at the Sam Finney pub.