NEXT week sees the launch of the Daily Echo-backed Best Bar None competition.

Following the success of last year, the hunt to find the best bar, club and pub in Southampton is once again on.

This year the competition has been expanded to include venues in the Shirley and Bitterne area of the city as well as the city centre and Portswood.

All licensed venues are being invited to the official launch of the scheme, run in partnership by Southampton City Council and Southampton police licensing unit, and sponsored by Bacardi Brown Foreman brands.

Last year saw 53 nightspots take part in the competition, which is aimed at driving up standards in the industry and making drinking venues safer for the public to enjoy.

The top prize of the overall best bar in the city was won last year by the Mono bar, with dozens of venues receiving an accreditation award that recognised high standards.

Thomas Stretch' Harvey, general manager at Mono, Southampton, said "We feel this award scheme has benefited the entire industry by raising awareness and standards of responsible licensing practice in Southampton. As the current holders of the award we continually strive to improve Mono in preparation for the forthcoming awards in 2007."

Other categories on officer will be for Best Bar, Best Club and Best Pub, along with the overall title of Best Bar None.

This year will see an extra Daily Echo award, voted for by the public. We will be asking our readers to vote online at the Daily Echo website for the venue they believe to be the best.

Application packs will be given out at the launch event on Monday at St Mary's Stadium, from 3.30pm until 6pm. Once completed the packs can be returned to Southampton police before a judging panel picks the winners and runners-up in each category.

The awards evening, where prizes will be handed out at a dinner dance, will be in April.