CLUBBERS and pub goers in Southampton city centre were given loads of lovely lollies courtesy of the Daily Echo and city police in a tasty new initiative to beat anti-social behaviour.

Around 10,000 lollipops were dished out in a trial designed to see if revellers will put a lolly in it instead of making a nuisance of themselves during the early hours.

Drinkers at city centre pubs Flares, Toad in the Park and Chicago Rock Caf were the first guinea pigs for the sweet-tooth trial.

It's harder to shout with a lolly in your mouth, goes the thinking.

Licensees at the bars are also being asked to play soothing tunes and themes from children's TV shows to help revellers feel relaxed and good humoured as they head home. It is believed music from shows like the Magic Roundabout and Scooby Do offer a calming alternative to thumping dance music beats, which should help cut the number of closing time clashes.

The scheme is being closely monitored by Hampshire police and could be rolled out across the city if judged successful.

The lolly trial, which was first revealed in the Daily Echo back in January, is based on similar schemes in other parts of the country which have halved the number of late-night assaults.

Flares manager Jeff Shrimpton is fully behind the scheme. "Anything that gives people a bit of a giggle has got to be good. I think it is quite a fun way of respecting our neighbours, noise wise. It is a good idea that adds value to our business and makes sure the community has an easier life," he said.

"Our DJs have their own signature tunes they like to play at the end of the evening to calm people down, so we are also in favour of that."

Inspector John Snook of Southampton police's licensing department, said: "It is the intention of Hampshire police along with Southampton City Council to reduce violent crime and make the city a safer place for both residents and visitors."

The unusual idea is part of Operation Viper, a Daily Echo-backed campaign to reduce city violence.