Wrexham clubbers will be handed lollipops for free

Thousands of the sweets will be handed out throughout August in an effort to reduce drunken violence after clubs close their doors.

It is hoped the lollipops will divert club-goers from shouting and arguing and invoke a sense of fun instead.

It is the first time the unconventional scheme has been trialled in Wales.

"This initiative is something that people will find quite funny but it's been tried and tested and it appears that it does have a positive effect on people's demeanour," said Chief Inspector Bob Wilson from North Wales Police.

"The idea behind this initiative is to divert people's minds away from public disorder and reduce the potential for violence and anti-social behaviour," he added.

Anything that helps customers leave safely is a good thing Nick Barwell, Scott's nightclub manager

The 22,000 lollipops have cost �500 to buy and have been paid for by the Home Office.

Dominic Gillespie, manager of Liquid and Envy nightclub in the town centre, said his door staff will be handing out lollipops to all their 1,600 clubbers.

"I think it's an awesome idea. It's quite innovative and although there's not a lot of noise coming out at two in the morning, this is going to reduce it even further," he said.

Mr Gillespie said he expected his customers to welcome the free sweets.

"Most of them will take it as a laugh I think but it has got a serious purpose because they won't be able to sing songs when they've got lollipops in their mouths.

"Some studies have shown that if you've got your mind on something else, you're not going to be doing something you shouldn't."

Nightclub manager Nick Barwell supports the scheme

Nick Barwell, general manager at Wrexham nightclub Scott's, said: "Anything that helps customers leave safely is a good thing".

"I think a lot of people will look at the lollipops and think they're a little bit strange but anything that distracts them from getting involved in any trouble is a good thing from our point of view," he added.

The scheme has already had a positive effect in parts of Cleveland, Leicester and Devon.

The lollipop scheme is the latest police initiative aimed at cracking down on bad behaviour in Wrexham town's centre.

From June, revellers who urinated in the streets were told to wash away their mess and more recently talking CCTV cameras were installed to warn people that their behaviour will be filmed.