A pioneering county-wide scheme for registering door staff in pubs and clubs has been hailed a success by councillors and police.

Since November 1998, door staff registering with one Essex authority have been able to work in the area of any other authority signed up to the scheme.

As well as Basildon District Council, Castle Point, Rochford, Southend, Thurrock, Colchester, Harlow and Tendring ,councils have adopted the scheme, and Brentwood and Braintree recognise the badges.

Basildon's licensing sub-committee was yesterday told the scheme cut paperwork, improved security and had proved popular with door staff.

Councillors voted to continue the scheme, set up a seminar to discuss it further, and agreed to compare the scheme with the new British Standard Code of Practice to see if any changes needed to be made.

Assistant environmental health manager David Pritt said: "The scheme works in conjunction with the police, particularly Basildon police but also officers from the Essex headquarters.

"The police are totally in favour of the scheme, which has proved very successful, and there have been no problems to date. It's popular with the doormen, because they don't have to spend anywhere near as much money as they used to if they want to work elsewhere.

"It is also popular with the employers, who can be much more flexible with their staff, as well as the local authorities."

There are 316 staff registered with the scheme, Mr Pritt said, with 106 in Basildon.

The laser-printed badge, with a photograph of the holder, was difficult to duplicate and so improved security, he added.

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