A PERSHORE publican's identity card scheme to combat troublemakers and underage drinking has started successfully.

Allan Smith of the High Street's Plough Inn thinks customers' willingness to back the scheme showed drinking did not lead inevitably to anti-social behaviour and people could make a stand against yobs.

Since July 14, Mr Smith has only let holders of one of his specially issued ID cards into the pub on Friday nights or nights when there is live music.

He said: "Since we started we've not had one incident, not even one argument and no aggression. We've just had good party nights, and at the moment it's working."

He admits it was a gamble and the effect on business was initially quite noticeable, as regulars who were unable to get cards in time were turned away.

Mr Smith said business was now recovering and he hoped the reduced likelihood of trouble would attract more customers.

The card scheme also operates on Bank Holidays and August Bank Holiday will be a major test of the scheme's durability.

So far, Mr Smith said 300 people had registered with the scheme and every weekend 30 to 40 people applied to join.

Four applicants had been refused - this happens when he came across information that someone was likely to cause trouble.

This, he said, could come from one of a number of informal sources or as a result of "his local knowledge." He has not asked police for information.

He agreed the system of vetting applications was not perfect, but said: "It's the only way we have of doing it at the moment. I know it's not fool proof but it's better than doing nothing."

As well as keeping troublemakers out he believes the scheme has stopped underage drinking as under 21s must provide documentary evidence of age and photograph.

The Home Office's recently unveiled Action Plan on tackling alcohol-related crime included support for schemes to exclude troublemakers and underage drinkers as well as powers for police to close pubs to deal with disorder.

Mr Smith cautiously welcomed the plan but stressed liaison and co-operation between landlords, police and courts was essential."Publicans should not be seen as the cause of the problem but be seen as a possible way of helping to control the problem," he said.