A HEREFORD pub scheme created to keep the town centre's night time scene safe has come second in a national award.

Representatives from Hand- Hereford Against Night-Time Disorder- headed to Westminster yesterday for Diageo’s National Pubwatch Awards.

In front of an audience of MPs and pub industry bigwigs, Hand was highly commended out of hundreds of Pubwatch schemes.

The group was acknowledged for its work creating a safe drinking environment for the residents and bar staff of Hereford.

Nightclub Play manager Dan Guerche went to London with police town centre inspector, Nick Semper, Yates's manager Paul Neades, and

police licensing officer for Herefordshire, Jim Mooney to collect the award.

Mr Guerche said: "We are very happy with it. It goes some way to recognise the work the Hand team do."

He said they were recognised for their Bottletop alcohol diversion course, which was introduced two years ago.

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

Mr Guerche said the course is the first in the country and will be rolled out nationally. He said: "Fifty odd people have been through the alcohol diversion course and we have had one person who has been put on a Pubwatch ban since that. It is a great result and shows it is working."

The Bulmer Foundation funded the course.

Hand currently has an 85 per cent participation rate including all major city centre venues and establishments.

Insp Semper said: "The licensees of Hereford have rightly been recognised at a national level, for their outstanding social responsibility in playing their pivotal role in promoting a safe night out.

"They are helping to launch Hereford Off-Watch next week, for off licences, convenience stores and supermarkets, to counter day time alcohol related anti-social behaviour.

"I know they have even bigger ideas for the future, and I hope they go from strength to strength."

The main award was won by Droylsden’s Pubwatch and Westminster South Licensed Premises Group was also highly commended alongside Hand.