By Mark Donaghy COUNCILLORS have called time on revellers leaving pubs and clubs carrying their drinks.

New licensing conditions are to be introduced following concern by hospital chiefs that at least 10 people a week are injured by broken glass, either accidentally or in fights, after a night on the town.

Police chiefs and taxi firms too have showed increasing concern at the tendency for clubbers to go pub crawling with bottles and glasses in their hands.

And they say the trend has been made worse with the growing popularity of designer drinks being consumed straight from the bottle.

Wigan Council now hopes that fresh action will clear town centre streets of the dangers of smashed glasses and broken bottles.

The new Regulation Committee, which has taken over the functions of the former licensing sub-committee, is to make the receipt of public entertainment licences conditional on licensees ensuring that customers finish their drinks before they leave the premises.

A report to councillors stated: "The sight of several people walking down a street who have obviously consumed copious amounts of alcohol, and who are in possession of a glass or bottle, can be very intimidating.

"The problem is that the bottles or glasses are rarely disposed of properly. They are often discarded or smashed, and on occasions used as missiles or weapons. If they are broken first the consequences can be lethal.

"Broken bottles and glasses are frequently found on the streets and could damage car tyres or cut the paws of animals, or injure anyone unfortunate enough to slip."

Several licensees have told the council they already try to prevent customers leaving their premises with open bottles and glasses.

Cllr David Molyneux, committee chairman, said: "I am sure that the police, hospital authorities and taxi drivers will all welcome this decision.

"I am not saying this will cure the problem overnight, but anything we can do to make the streets of our towns safer for the vast majority of law abiding clubbers - not to mention our own street cleaners - has to be a good thing."

The new condition comes into effect from August 1.