A PUB chain pulling in customers with beer at a PENNY a pint has been slammed by police and health campaigners.

Drinkers are knocking back more in a day than is safe to drink in a WEEK as they cash in on the cheap booze at the company's six pubs.

Some down up to 15 pints a DAY in the deal-where they get a pint of Tetley's bitter for 1p if they buy house shots of vodka, gin or whisky at £1.89.

With a pint of beer worth two alcohol units and a spirit shot worth one unit some drinkers are sinking nearly 40 UNITS a day-way above a man's safe WEEKLY limit of 21 units.

Swaying

The offer is on at pubs in the North of England-based Dukedom chain.

At one, Chennells in Barnsley, South Yorks, a swaying drinker told our reporter at 5pm: "It's the more you drink, the more you save, innit? I don't really like spirits but you might as well have a nip for that price.

"It would be rude not to. I've had four or five pints and vodkas so far already today. You can't beat it."

The controversial promotion has been a huge hit at Chennells-where it is advertised with brightly-coloured bunting, posters and cards on tables-and at the chain's other pubs in Stockton, Redcar and Nelson. Chennells' operation manager Russell Vickers said: "We have spoken to customers and they say they need more value for money."

But Barnsley's licensing officer, Sgt Derek Barker, said he was aware that "irresponsible" drink promotions were on offer.

He said: "Barnsley police will continue to monitor these premises and, where necessary, robustly police using all the powers available."

And a spokeswoman for The Drink Aware Trust said: "People may think they are getting a bargain but if you weigh up the pros and cons of cheap drinking with the health risks involved it is not worth it."

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