Southampton City Centre residents are bracing themselves for an influx of as many as 3,000 students on a huge, boozy pub-crawl.

The police-backed stunt has been organised by Southampton Institute Students Union, which says the evening is designed to promote sensible drinking.

Called the Big Pub Crawl, the event is expected to attract somewhere between 1,500 and 3,000 'fresher' students who have just arrived to study here.

Pubs are charged £50 to be included on the list of venues to be visited and clubs pay £500 to be listed as a final destination.

Students will be guided by 'Angels' - other students acting as stewards, who are to be trained by police.

Pub crawls, which have recently been outlawed in the Greek resort of Faliraki because of the anti-social behaviour they generate among British tourists, see revellers drinking in each venue on a long route around the city.

The precise date of the event, which takes place next week, is not being revealed due to police fears that students will be targeted.

City centre residents' associations reacted with anger at the news.

Polygon Residents' Association chairman Lorraine Barter said: "I think it's totally unacceptable, inconsiderate and out of keeping with their claims about wanting a good relationship with residents. I also don't think they should be encouraging them to drink even more.

"The police should know that the evening will not pass peacefully, they will all be extremely inebriated and anyone that lives in the area they go home to will be feeling worse than them the next morning because of the noise and damage to property."

Student liaison officer PC Steve Mullins said: "I am aware and have been liaising with the students union and am happy to assist and give advice. In addition another officer and I will be meeting the angels who have been appointed stewards for the students to train them.

"We wish them well and hope the evening passes peacefully and that everyone has a good time."

Landlord of the Freemantle Hotel, member of the local Licensed Victuallers Association and fellow of the Institute of British Innkeepers Ken Gentle forecast trouble.

He said: "I wouldn't want it in my pub. Half way through the night there will be fractious events. You go out and for three or four pints it is all hunky-dory, then things start to deteriorate.

"It amazes me, I can't think of another organisation which would be allowed to do this. Imagine if it was Saints fans.

"My gut feeling is it has to be a scam."

No one from the institute's Student Union was available for comment.