THE Government warned the UK drinks industry that anyone who spurned a new set of standards produced in a bid to tackle alcohol-related disorder would face the "full force of the law".

Licensing Minister James Purnell said pubs and bars who did not adhere to the code of practice, developed by the drinks industry in association with the Government, risked having their licence revoked. The code covers issues such as drinks retailing .

A range of issues, including responsible advertising, marketing and retailing of drinks, are covered by the new code, which has the support of sixteen national bodies.

Speaking at its launch in The Rain Bar, on Great Bridgewater Street in Manchester, today, Mr Purnell said those who did not adhere to the code risked having their licence reviewed by the local authority and the police - and possibly revoked.