DRINKERS who fear they are being ripped off when they buy a 'pint' in Bolton pubs are being given the chance to prove it.

Members of the Bolton branch of the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) have been out in force this week, promoting the case for a fair pint of liquid in their beer glasses.

And now they are encouraging the wider Bolton drinking public to get in on the act.

CAMRA members have been armed with a secret weapon as they promote their Full Pint Campaign.

The secret weapon comes in the form of a simple credit card sized device, called the Beer Head "Rip-Off" Measure, left.

The measure can be carried in a wallet or purse and brought out when you have bought a pint, placed alongside and read off against a gauge.

The measure reveals the value of beer that has been lost against a price per pint scale.

CAMRA members are campaigning strongly on the issue of full pints following the publication of a government consultation paper called Fair Measure. Consultation ends at the end of October.

Some brewery chiefs are suggesting that a new law ensures that at least 95 per cent of a 'pint' is liquid.

But many CAMRA members demand that any new law should make sure that virtually 100pc is beer, excluding the head.

They are supporting the use of over-sized lined glasses so it is easy for drinkers to see they have got a full liquid measure.

CAMRA members are also urging drinkers to write to Bolton's MPs urging them to vote in favour of new legislation.

Information about the Beer Head "Rip-Off" Measures and general CAMRA activities are available from Dave Fleming on Bolton 389918. Alternatively write to CAMRA headquarters at 230 Hatfield Road, St Albans, AL1 4LW.

DO you have trouble getting a full pint of beer at your pub or is the taste and quality of what is in the glass more important than the volume? Write with your views to Full Pints, Pub Guide, Bolton Evening News, Newspaper House, Churchgate, Bolton, BL1 1DE, phone on Bolton 361277, fax on 365068 or e-mail to:

mlongbottom@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.