PUB landlords across the area are planning to make Christmas a violence and drug-free period by cracking down on lager louts.

The Pubwatch scheme has already given 12 people life bans with scores more being banned from Melksham pubs and clubs well into next year.

The Melksham and District Licensed Premises Association is now gearing up for the Christmas period in a bid to stop incidents of violence, drug-dealing, threatening behaviour and vandalism.

The scheme, which was started up seven years ago, ensures lists of banned drinkers are circulated to around 20 pubs in the town.

Despite Wiltshire police refusing to issue photographs of banned drinkers, Pubwatch members are still lobbying police chiefs to change the rules.

Pubwatch chairman Cameron Scott, who runs the Parsons Nose in High Street, said making sure Melksham shed its reputation as a trouble-spot was one of the main priorities for the festive period.

He said: "Melksham has had this reputation of being a rough town. But despite a few problems this week we are all doing our best to make the town a safer place.

"It is about trying to make it a more family orientated town, most of the late night pubs don't have many incidents of violence these days.

"We need to start developing Pubwatch so all the towns work together. We should have photos circulated to landlords to make the scheme more effective."

Mr Scott added that the scheme would adopt a zero-tolerance rule. He said: "If a couple are coming out for a quiet drink you can't have someone going berserk."

John Stewart, who runs the Navy Tavern in Market Place, said self-policing was an effective way for pub landlords to crack down on bar brawls and violence.

He said: "Pubwatch provides us with our own highly effective form of self-policing, in a way which only bars irresponsible customers who we wouldn't want in our premises anyway.

"Everyone else is then left free to enjoy themselves without the fear of having their night being ruined by a brawl. The only person to suffer is the troublemaker."

Bill Austin, chairman of Trowbridge Pubwatch said the tough stance was also reaping results in the county town.

He said: "It is a good deterrent and there a lot less situations inside the pubs now.

"We are still imposing penalties and making sure pubs stay safe."