PUBS and clubs in Southampton may have to pay for damage caused by drunken youngsters which costs the city hundreds of thousands of pounds every year.

The latest idea to crack down on drink-related vandalism and violence in the city centre emerged at the final meeting of a long-running inquiry into antisocial behaviour in the city.

The inquiry team, led by chairman Councillor Paul Russell, is due to present its findings to the city council on June 10.

Cheap and easily available alcohol and a "binge-drinking" culture are being blamed as the main causes of violence among the city's young people.

Members of the panel are also urging city leisure bosses to encourage activities for youngsters which are not drink-related.

The idea has been welcomed by the chairman of the Southampton Federation of Residents' Associations Peter Wirgman. He said the lives of many residents in the city were being blighted by groups of drunk and unruly youngsters.

He said: "It is a nice idea but how it would be framed to be effective I really don't know."

But the "polluter pays" idea was condemned by club and pub owners across the city.

Rob Curruthers, manager of Walkabout in Southampton, said: "The government sets down quite strict licensing laws which govern us.

"You can't serve someone who appears to be drunk. We abide by that law and licensing officers are there to make sure we abide by that law.

"Without a doubt, people do drink and get aggressive but there are lots of people who don't.

"Should we be held responsible for people's emotional make-up? I don't know whether someone is going to get punchy."

He added that people may get drunk at their home or in other pubs which were not as well run as his own.

He said: "Why should I be held responsible. Do you just tax everybody? I have a fabulous track record. Why should I pay for other licensed premises which are not as strict as my own."

He was backed by Liz Treadwell, assistant manager at Southampton's Academy nightclub. She said the club had regular monthly meetings with residents and the council to try to tackle problems arising from customers' behaviour.

She said: "We do have a certain responsibility for our customers but we try to prevent it and we are doing all we can."

The proposal has also been condemned by Southampton and District Licensed Victuallers Association, which said it would "vigorously oppose" any move to charge pubs and clubs a levy for antisocial behaviour.

Chairman Peter Smith said that the council should take responsibility itself for allowing more pubs and clubs to open in the city centre.

He said: "This is nothing new. It has been tried before in other parts of the country.

"I don't think that responsible landlords should be penalised for the antisocial behaviour of other people.

"The council seems to have got its facts wrong.

"The people that are causing these nuisances, we suffer from them as well.

"We see then tanked-up in town and they are causing hassle and trouble. Why should the many pay for the few?"