TRENDY pubs, popular clubs and the good old-fashioned local will be bidding for the title of Best Bar None as the competition to find the top venues in Southampton is held for a second year.

Following the success of last year's Daily Echo-backed competition, Southampton police, the city council and sponsors Bacardi Martini are once again joining forces to organise the event.

This year it promises to be bigger and better, with pubs in the Shirley and Bitterne areas, along with city centre and Portswood venues, being invited to take part.

A Daily Echo reader award will also be among the gongs handed out at a black tie ceremony next year.

Last year saw 53 venues take part in the competition, aimed at improving standards in licensed premises.

All the venues that enter go through a thorough vetting procedure to see how safe and welcoming the premises are for customers.

Areas such as training, health and safety procedures and how responsible the pub is when it comes to drinking promotions and cutting down the risk of crime all come under the spotlight.

Policies in place to combat under-age drinking, supported by the Daily Echo's Keep Kids Sober campaign, are also taken into account.

The cream of the crop are then shortlisted and a panel of judges have the task of picking an overall winner in each of the categories of best bar, pub and club.

Last year's winners were announced at an awards ceremony at the De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel where Mono bar was crowned overall winner.

Manager Thomas Harvey said the award had benefited the entire industry by raising standards.

This year organisers are hoping that the event will prove just as popular.

Licensing sergeant Stewart Chandler said: "This year it is being expanded to include Bitterne and Shirley and I hope this will be a great opportunity for licensees to take part and work with the police and local authority. The awards were very well received last year with coverage in trade magazines and local media and we hope to repeat and better that success this year."

Council bosses have also backed the scheme. Cllr Liz Mizon said it had been successful in reassuring people that Southampton was a safe city to enjoy.