CROFT has become a safer place to enjoy a pint after police rolled out the ArcAngel scheme in the village's pubs.

A ceremony was held at The General Elliot in Lord Street to recognise that the pub was committed to preventing underage drinking and alcohol related crime.

The Plough Inn in Heath Lane and The Horseshoe in Smithy Lane also met the ArcAngel standards and joined the scheme.

Stockton Heath became the first ArcAngel protected village in Warrington in 2013 with 25 licensed premises signing up to the scheme.

CSO Maurizio Lucchesi said: "This doesn't mean that Croft has got any serious alcohol problems but it provides a unique opportunity for licensed premises to play an active part in the community they serve in order to reduce the availability of alcohol to underage drinkers.

"The scheme looks to educate young people and encourages families to feel safer and reduce negative perceptions during a night out."