YORK landlords today attacked plans that could leave them paying for damage drunken louts cause - after leaving their pubs.

Frank Cartin, president of the York Licensed Victuallers' Association, said Tony Blair's idea - aimed at cutting police time and costs - was "ridiculous" and impractical.

The Snickleway Inn landlord said: "Why don't they just shut all the pubs down?

"We collect so much in taxes for the government and we have to police our pubs.

"Everybody in licensing would be opposed to that kind of reform."

The radical proposal is part of Labour's "big conversation" with Britain.

Downing Street hopes to reduce the amount of public cash spent clearing up after booze binges in busy cities, like York's notorious Micklegate run.

Ministers say landlords benefit from drink sales so should pay for damage to nearby premises.

But Jack Merry, who runs a string of York pubs including the Tap and Spile, said such a move would be impossible to police.

"How can you say who left a certain pub and then caused the damage? It would be very hard to administrate."

Mr Merry said eventual relaxation of opening hours may curb binge-drinkers.

Mike Hird, of the Victoria Vaults, also opposed the government plans.

"We certainly have a responsibility for people that come into our pubs," he said.

"We're not just here to take money off them, but to ensure they are in a fit state when they arrive and not in too bad a state when they leave."

"If we do that and then they go drinking somewhere else and smash a window. It's not really our responsibility. We can't follow people around."

Mr Hird said established York licensees did not tolerate binge-drinkers, so often avoided damage incidents often linked to city centre "theme" pubs attracting large groups.

Mr Blair, launching the "big conversation" said he wanted to put crime victims first, as well as tackle anti-social yobs.

He said: "It is the time to take risks.

"The reason I call this a conversation is that the government does not know it all.

"But I do want people to understand what we see as the challenges and to say to people as frankly as possible, in today's world: Government cannot

do it all."

Updated: 10:47 Tuesday, December 02, 2003