A HEREFORD nightclub manager gave a talk in Manchester last week about how he pulled out the stops to cut drink-related disorder and violence in the city.

The Bottletop alcohol diversion scheme is the brainchild of Dan Guerche, who runs Play nightclub and is chairman of Herefordshire Against Nighttime Disorder (HAND).

The course is an attempt to "rehabilitate" those banned from pubs and clubs for their drink-fuelled behaviour and raises understanding of alcohol awareness, health and social consequences and managed drinking strategies.

It is offered over two hours by a drugs and alcohol worker with successful completion depending on an individual's self-reflective realisation of consequences.

Dan sought expert advice from Dr David Marshall, an associate of the Bulmer Foundation which has already delivered the highly successful Bottletop project designed to help young people address alcohol related issues.

The scheme has been such a success that it scooped a High Sheriff of Herefordshire Award last year.

And, now the rest of the country is starting to find out about its benefits.

Dan and Inspector Nick Semper, from Hereford police, gave a speech at the National Pubwatch Conference in Manchester.

Dan said that he was amazed at the reception the scheme got senior police officers and other pub watch groups.

"So far, we have been invited to the Isle of Man, Corby, Tunbridge Wells, Cambridge," said Dan.

"I have also learnt that other pub watch groups are looking to come to Hereford to understand more about how we are managing this."