Ref. 29747-32A Swindon pub chain is to cut happy hour-style drink promotions and slash soft drink prices following the Government's clamp down on binge drinking.

JD Wetherspoon, which owns The Savoy, in Regent Street, and The Groves Company Inn, in Fleet Street, is calling time on its double spirits and two-for-one beer offers, as well as reducing the amount of alcohol in its cocktails.

At the same time, the price of some non-alcoholic drinks have been cut by 10p.

The move is in response to the Government's alcohol harm reduction strategy to tackle booze-fuelled crime.

A leaked letter from Home Secretary David Blunkett to Prime Minister Tony Blair recently told of his concerns that alcohol-related disorder was spiralling out of control.

Last week the Advertiser featured an eyewitness account showing that Swindon town centre also suffers from such behaviour.

Our report showed Swindon police cells are increasingly being used as resting places for drunks who cannot remember how to get home.

As well as ending happy hours and cutting prices of soft drinks other plans outlined in the Government strategy include:

l Making free water available at all pubs and clubs

l Providing safer packaging to prevent bottles being used as weapons

l Providing marshals to help keep the peace in town and city centres at closing time.

Dr Peter Crouch, Wiltshire's principal police surgeon, said the number of drunk people in Swindon has been increasing and he welcomed Wetherspoon's initiative.

He said: "I'm all for working closely with the industry to reduce the chance that people will drink too excess.

"By making soft drinks cheaper, perhaps it is hoped that people will switch to soft drinks.

"But, at the end of the day, people who drink themselves well over the limit will continue to drink until they run out of cash or fall over.

"The trick is to not drink beyond the point at which they can't get home with nobility."

Insp Simon Dicks, of Swindon police, said: "Alcohol-fuelled crime is a continuing problem for us and will only get worse as the summer approaches."

Wetherspoon's spokesman Eddie Gershon said: "Wetherspoon is implementing several measures to help cut down on anti-social behaviour caused by drink.

"Our pubs in Swindon are very popular but we don't have big problems there. Even so, we have taken on board what the police and the Government are saying as part of our commitment to public safety."

The new pricing policies come into effect on April 7.

Alex Emery