BEER drinkers in York today raised a glass to the city's publicans, after it emerged they were getting some of the best-value pints in Britain.

The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) has been running an "honest pint" campaign, after members found that eight in ten pints in the UK were short - but York was today hailed as one of the best cities for a full pint.

According to Camra, short measures cost British drinkers more than £1 million every day.

But Jim Thompson, chairman of the organisation's York branch, said the city was better than most.

He said: "There are a lot of pubs that have over-sized lined glasses, which mean you always get a full pint, and all of our beer festivals have lined glasses as well.

"Most of the York pubs are pretty good in that they will give you a top-up if you ask. York's better than most cities, I would think. "

Camra launched its campaign in December, in response to Government proposals that a pint be defined as "not less than 95 per cent liquid". Camra says it should be not less than 100 per cent liquid.

Mr Thompson said: "It is an argument of the brewers that the froth is part of the pint. But if you buy a pint of milk, you get a pint of milk. Beer should be the same."

Camra is backing an Early Day Motion in Parliament, calling for a pint to be defined as 100 per cent liquid.

York MP Hugh Bayley, one of 137 MPs who have signed the motion, said today: "When drinkers order a pint they want a full glass, not a short measure. Short measures are irritating because they cost consumers more than £400 million a year.

Across the country, one in four pints is short by more than five per cent, which is a rip off."

He added: "The situation is better in York, and that is important for a tourist city that depends on the goodwill of visitors and the public alike."

Camra measured pints all over Britain, using special equipment which removes the head.

It found eight in ten pints were short - a quarter of them by more than five per cent.

Drinkers lose an average of 7p on every pint of ale, and 10p on every pint of lager, meaning someone who drank three pints, twice a week, would lose out by almost £30 a year.

'Some bar staff just can't pour a pint'

Richard Parker, 36, York

"It slightly surprises me that York is so good, but I've been places that are far worse. There have been some pubs in York that have been dreadful though, and I've stopped going to a couple. Some bar staff just do not know how to pour a pint."

Vince Waller, 56, Fridaythorpe

"It surprises me that York's one of the best, and it surprises me that other places are so remiss in getting the right measure. Trading standards are meant to police this business. Late at night is maybe different, but I find York pretty good on the whole."

Steve Crampton, 50, Malton

"I thought common procedure was that if you weren't happy with your pint you could just ask them to top it up. Your typical northerner likes half-an-inch of head, but people see the classic pint differently. I've never had a problem myself."

Hadrian Herpin, 59, Rowntree Avenue, York

"I've never had a problem in York at all. I travel a lot abroad, but not in the UK, so I don't know about other places in Britain. But here in York, landlords always top up the pint if there is any problem."

Sue Stewart, 52, landlady at the Red Lion, Fossgate, York

"I've never had any problem here at all. Most of the pubs will always have a little sign saying if you're not satisfied they will top it up. It's a good reflection on York's landlords that we're one of the best."

Updated: 10:28 Tuesday, April 05, 2005