PUBWATCH bosses have created a rogues' gallery to keep violent boozers at bay.

A website featuring the photographs of those currently banned has been created to help all 110 licensees in Runcorn and Widnes who are members of the scheme.

Ian Seville, Halton's licensing officer, said: 'This new website means the police now have the ability to post these photographs ontoapassword-protectedsection of the site, giving controlled and immediate access to Pubwatch licensees as well as helping them to keep in touch with one another.'

The news has been welcomed by licensees in Widnes, who can now keep tabs on hellraisers.

One landlord said: 'The scheme already had procedures in place where police issued you with photographs of banned offenders but that was not working - especially when you have a busy pub and therearewell over100othermembers in the scheme.

'Sometimes you did not know who tokeepyoureye outfor-now we do.'

Funding has also been obtained from Halton Borough Council's alcohol working group and support from NorthWest Radio Communications to set up a security radio system for Pubwatch licensees in Runcorn and Widnes.

Mr Seville added: 'We have had Pubwatch in Halton for two years now and the same two issues have been encountered by licensees across the borough: How can we communicate with each other quickly and how can we keep up-to-date with who has been banned?

'I am hoping that these two initiatives will solve both these issues, sending out an even stronger message to would-be troublemakers and bringing Pub-watch into the 21st Century.'

The news could not come soon enough for some landlords in Halton after police confirmed a 20-year-old woman was arrested in connection with a serious wounding during a fight outside the Hammer and Pincers in Hough Green, Widnes, after England's World Cup clash with Trinidad & Tobago on June 15.

The woman has been bailed to reappear at North Cheshire Custody Suite on September 5.