Ref. 75668-14PUB workers in Swindon have welcomed the news that pint glasses are to be replaced with plastic containers in some of the pubs.

New licensing laws and fears about alcohol-fuelled brawls have prompted one of the country's biggest brewers to take action.

Coors Brewers, which produces the popular Carling and Grolsch lagers, have become the first to offer safety glassware.

It is claimed the new style 'plastic glass' containers are unbreakable meaning they cannot be smashed and used as weapons.

Steve Silvestor, assistant manager at the Rifleman in Regent Street said: "If it's true that these new glasses won't smash then they sound like a great idea.

"It hardly ever happens but if a glass is smashed you don't want it breaking into pieces that can be stabbed into someone's neck.

"We would have them here if they were available to us."

Wozz Oliphant, manager of O'Neills and Reflex Club in Fleet Street agreed.

He said: "From a safety aspect these plastic glasses are good, particularly when there's a big event like the rugby world cup or the football world cup."

Nigel Turrell, who runs the Messenger pub in Covingham said: "We used to run a nightclub in Cardiff and we used them there but when they smash they can be used as blades, so I'm not a lover of them.

"But if these new ones won't shatter like that then anything that takes away a danger is a good thing."

Matthew Parish, shift manager at the Savoy in Regent Street said: "If these new ones won't shatter like the old ones then obviously they are a good idea because there is no danger of people getting themselves cut."

Nicky Fitzgerald, owner of the Rolleston pub and Furnace nightclub in Commercial Road, warned that while they may be good for safety reasons the customers are not always happy with a plastic glass.

She said: "We use plastic glasses in the Furnace when we have music, just in case people decide to show their displeasure with the band by throwing them.

"The plastic ones are a lot safer but the problem is the customers don't like them.

"I think it's more important to make sure you keep the pub clear of empty glasses and have vigilant staff.

"It also depends on what sort of pub it is.

"There's obviously more need for plastic glasses in some than in others."

A Coors spokeswoman said the company had made the plastic glasses available to more than 45,000 outlets.