A TOP Bolton consultant, who has treated thousands of victims of drunken brawls, has welcomed a suggested pubs and clubs league table of shame. John Lowry, consultant at the Royal Bolton's Maxillofacial Unit, has backed moves to list the town's most dangerous bars. Mr Lowry describes Home Secretary Jack Shaw's latest crime-cutting bid "an excellent idea".

Mr Lowry, who has held his post since 1976 and has seen thousands of glassed brawlers pass through casualty, said: "In our locality, we do see time and time again the same venue where the incidents are occuring.

"There is an alcohol background to it and also, increasingly more younger people influenced with drugs."

Bolton Casualty sees an average five to six people every week who have suffered severe facial lacerations following a fight on a night out.

Problem

"It is a problem not just confined to weekends, " Mr Lowry said.

The idea to draw up league tables of shame was sparked by a Cardiff Professor, Jonathan Shepherd - who has also suggested clubs and pubs use tempered glasses.

Mr Lowry explained: "A glass is a lethal weapon. If tempered glasses were used they would shatter into tiny pieces like a windscreen if anyone tried to smash them."

Mrs Beverly Andrew, Director of Operations with Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust said staff working on Bolton's accident and emergency department, felt there were not enough clubs in Bolton to warrant such a list.

"Our reading of the situation is that such lists are more likely to have a bigger effect on large cities where there are numerous clubs.

"In Bolton where there are only a handful, such a list may not have the same impact," she added.

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