Award for Pubwatch scheme.

Byline: CARL BUTLER

THE Pubwatch scheme Rhyl Rules has taken the top title in the national Responsible Drinks Retailing Awards 2009.

Derek Smith and Gary Wright of the Rhyl Pubwatch collected the accolade from the organisers, drinks industry magazines Morning Advertiser and Off Licence News, at a presentation in London.

Judges praised the scheme, commenting, "Rhyl Rules is a model of how a Pubwatch can help to 'call time' on irresponsible drinks retailing. There's no doubt that this scheme is helping to protect people in the town from the worst effects of alcohol misuse and creating a safer environment for everyone."

Rhyl Rules was launched in 2006 and has 25 town centre pubs and bars who meet monthly to discuss issues and find solutions to potential problems.

Two Facebook parties were held in Rhyl this year, each bringing over 2,000 people into the town. These ran smoothly thanks to advance planning and cooperation between Rhyl Rules partners which ensured that helpful measures such as shutting streets to traffic and increasing door security, were put in place. Judges were also impressed by the scheme's effective banning of nuisance drinkers.

The Responsible Drinking Awards are now in their sixth year. They recognise those businesses and organisations that go out of their way to make sure alcohol is sold in a responsible way.

A Rhyl Rules spokesperson said: "Receiving this industry recognition for our work is very pleasing.

"Our thanks to everyone in the Rhyl Rules Pubwatch, who have worked tirelessly to make the town a safer place for everyone."