IT was the largest pub crawl Southampton had ever seen, but as the dust settled on more than 2,000 students' big night out, it appeared there had been no trouble.

Spirits were high and there were more than a few who overdid it but, ultimately, it looked like Southampton Institute's safe drinking message had got through.

Police reported no incidents and no arrests resulting from the evening, which saw 2,162 new "fresher" students get their first taste of the city.

It was a successful end to an organisational headache for new student union president Ben Craig, who had been rocked by criticism of his plans to introduce students to Southampton nightlife with a massive pub crawl. But a swift change of name from the Big Pub Crawl to the Big Night Out helped underline that the event was not

simply about drinking.

Each of the 21 venues, which had paid between £50 and £500 to be included on the list, displayed posters saying: "If you do drink, don't get drunk," reinforcing the sensible drinking message.

The union also took a series of measures to guard against tragedy, including alerting

hospitals to the event and asking students to fill out a form listing their medical difficulties. This was paired with a number on a day-glo wristband and a telephone number, which could be called if they became ill.

More than 150 stewards or "angels" had also been enlisted to make sure the night went without a hitch. They were given a talk by police warning against encouraging drinking competitions or speed drinking and how to prevent drink spiking.

As the evening wore on, streets around Bedford Place and the Polygon were thronging with raucous students standing in the road.

But the mood was friendly and there was no sign of the vomit-stained horrors which have seen pub crawls banned from Greek holiday resort Faliraki.

Mr Craig was delighted.

"Calling it a pub crawl was a big mistake," he said. "But I'm very pleased with the way it's worked out. To sit down and realise that, after all the hard work, it has been a success makes me very proud."

City licensees agreed.

Rob Miles, manager of New York, New York nightclub, said: "I thought it was a tall order when I first heard about it, but it's worked out well."

Andy Weare, manager of the Academy nightclub, said: "When I first heard about it, I thought it was too many people, but it is less than are out on a weekend."

City centre residents had braced themselves for a deluge of drunken youngsters, but by midnight were able to sleep easy.

Polygon resident Pat Othen said: "It was very lively earlier as they went out but it's been quiet around here since. I'm sure it will liven up at 2.30am, it usually does, but there's been nothing too bad."

City licensing officer Sergeant Stewart Chandler said the event was the biggest of its kind ever in Southampton and that he was pleased with the way it went.