PUBS and social clubs in Great Harwood have joined forces to stamp out loutish behaviour. Pub Watch Great Harwood was launched this month and police have warned they will not tolerate incidents of criminal damage, assaults and drunken behaviour. A similar scheme has been in place in Accrington for 12 months and has proved very successful. It is hoped the Great Harwood scheme will be extended to incorporate Rishton and Clayton-le-Moors. Once the three areas are involved the aim is to interact with Accrington Pub Watch, eventually making it possible to ban troublemakers from Hyndburn as a whole. The Great Harwood scheme has been up and running for two weeks now and several people have been banned and many have received warning letters about their conduct. The Pub Watch scheme is a partnership of licensees, the local authority and businesses and is run by an anonymous committee. The initiative will be supported by police who will back licensees by responding to all reported incidents, but it is not a police run initiative and they will have no control over who is banned. The decision to ban or warn is made by the committee. The scheme works by banning troublemakers from participating nightspots. People can be banned for anti- social or violent behaviour, disorder or damage, inside or outside a pub. The main offenders will receive a 12-month ban, but there will also be the option to send warning letters to residents, giving them a three-month probationary period to improve their behaviour before banning takes place.

POLICE in Great Harwood are encouraging residents to take part in a scheme aimed at cutting down on the theft of mobile phones. People can pop into the police station and have their phones marked with a special ultra-violet pen. They will be given a card to record their details and a sticker stating that the phone is security protected. If the phone is stolen it will be immediately immobilised or the SIM card will be blocked Officers have already taken the scheme into schools in the area but all mobile phone owners are being encouraged to register their phones. PC Helen Jackson of Great Harwood Police said: "Anyone who has a mobile phone who wants it marking up, can just pop into the station. It will only take a minute."

HYNDBURN MP Greg Pope officially opened a new day nursery in Great Harwood. Little Cheeky Monkeys, which provides care for babies, toddlers and pre-school children, was the brainchild of Paul Wells. Mr Wells established the Orchard Street nursery after searching for care for his own daughter, when he and his partner Linda realised how important high quality child care is to families. The nursery is managed by Sarah Scott along with deputy manager Laura Pickford. Councillors Dr Rahman and Susan Shorrock also attended the opening.

A SHOPPING bag and a purse containing £50 in cash and credit cards were taken in a burglary in Danvers Street, Rishton.

A SILVER coloured car made off from the forecourt of Queen Street Garage in Great Harwood, after the driver failed to pay for £53 of petrol. The driver was white and was wearing a black and white striped T-shirt and stone-washed jeans.

A VANDAL armed with a sharp instrument caused £100-worth of damage to the boot of a Vauxhall estate car parked in Commercial Street, Rishton.