Drinkers were screened for drugs before being allowed to buy a pint.

Customers were tested at three watering holes in Clacton for illegal substances before they were let through the doors.

The operation was a trial scheme run by police with the landlords' agreement, and could be used again in the town.

Officers set up the new screening equipment at the Moon and Starfish, Crab and Pumpkin and Tom Peppers.

They took swabs from patrons' hands as a condition of them entering the premises.

Within a few seconds, the samples showed whether the person had recent contact with drugs.

Sergeant Richard Wardleworth, of Clacton police, said the machine could detect traces of heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, amphetamine and cannabis.

He said: "We picked up some traces of drugs but when we searched the people we didn't find anything on them.

"We didn't make any arrests but there were some groups of people who saw what we were doing and refused to go into the pub - that was very telling.

"Clacton doesn't have more of a drugs problem than anywhere else but this shows that we won't tolerate it."

More trials will be held around the county, including Braintree.

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