A SCHEME aimed at making Wellington a safer and more pleasant place to drink and socialise has started this week.

Publicans and licensees from across the town met in the Barley Mow pub in Rockwell Green on Tuesday to set the foundations for a new Pubwatch scheme aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour and the town's troublemakers.

Backed by Taunton Deane Borough Council's licensing department and Wellington police, the meeting saw a committee sworn in and guidelines devised, with Barley Mow landlord Dean Stojic taking the role of chairman.

As reported in the County Gazette, Mr Stojic said he was quitting the town recently after a violent incident in his pub.

He now says he will take on the role of chairman for six months but his pub will remain up for sale.

He said: "The first meeting went very well but we all have to work together to make sure it is a success.

"It will make the town a much more hospitable place to visit and if it works businesses will thrive - only time will tell."

Wellington sergeant Doc Nurse has welcomed the scheme. He said: "This is a chance for all 14 licensees to come together to support each other and put out the message that crime and disorder will not be tolerated in the town."

A ring-around system to warn pubs about problem customers is already in place and the scheme will look into introducing radios.

A banning committee has been set up and will mean anybody causing trouble in the town's licensed premises could be faced with being barred from them all.

Sgt Nurse said: "If a license holder has somebody they want to ban, he will have to bring that case to the committee and argue his case.

"He would not be involved in the voting process and the committee would have to unanimously vote in favour of a total ban so it would be democratic."