Serving inaccurate measures can attract a �5,000 fine

Trading Standards officers in Clackmannanshire and Stirling have expressed concern at the results of a checking operation.

They said three pubs in each authority area were likely to be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

Of the premises checked, 45% in Stirling served short measures and 55% in Clackmannanshire.

Officials said they were also worried that some were serving larger measures - by more than 32% in one Stirling pub - at a time when police and health bosses were encouraging responsible drinking.

The results came following a national campaign, targeting licensed premises across Scotland.

The results of this survey emphasise the need for licensees and their staff to receive proper training Colin Wilkinson Scottish Licensed Trade Association

Licencees providing inaccurate measures can be hit with a fine of up to �5,000.

Stirling and Clackmannanshire Trading Standards officer Neil Chalmers said: "It is essential that staff in licensed premises learn how to use their measuring equipment accurately.

"These results suggest that this is simply not happening at the moment."

A total of 20 licensed premises were visited in the areas to test the accuracy of the measure being dispensed, which should either be 25ml or 35ml.

Officers said errors were quite small in the majority of cases.