landlords in Ledbury have welcomed the prompt action of Police in dealing with a disturbance at the Seven Stars pub, where officers used CS spray.

Now publicans are calling for the town's 'Behave or be Banned' scheme to be activated if anyone is convicted of an offence related to the incident.

This would lead to offenders being barred for at least 12 months from every pub in the Ledbury area.

Punch Pub Company and licensees Ian and Sharon Stone have issued a statement thanking fellow publicans and police for advice and support, following the disturbance on Wednesday, January 21.

David Tegg, manager of the Royal Oak in the Southend, said: "We have to look after each other with the scheme. It does sadden me that this has happened in such a nice little town as Ledbury, which doesn't deserve it."

Karen Brooks, landlady of the Ring of Bells in New Street, said: "Following any convictions, I would expect the town- wide ban to be enforced. We are relatively new here ourselves. Ian and Sharon turned up just a month or two before we did."

She said it appeared that the police had responded very quickly to the incident.

Police have confirmed that they responded to reports of three men causing a disturbance at the Severn Stars and used CS spray.

"Two men were arrested and subsequently charged with a number of public order offences," said a spokesman. "They were placed on police bail and are due to appear before Hereford Magistrates' Court shortly."

The Seven Stars only re-opened last autumn, following the fire of July 2001 and a £1m restoration programme.

The 'Behave or be Banned' scheme came into force last September, following a fight involving ten people during a music festival at the Feathers Hotel and another fight outside The Bull in the High Street.