SPIRITS in Warrington's pubs and clubs may not be measuring up to drinkers' expectations, according to the town's Trading Standards department.

A survey of the town's licensed premises revealed that up to one in four could be cheating their customers by replacing brand-name beverages with cheaper alternatives.

The consumer watchdogs swooped on 11 'targeted' venues to test a range of spirits to make sure they were the genuine article.

All the premises surveyed, from pubs to restaurants and hotels, had been the subject of complaints to the council's Trading Standards team.

Officers found that three of the spirits they tested were not the brand they were labelled as, instead the bottles had been filled with less well known brands.

The process of spirit adulteration leaves punters less than high while traders are laughing all the way to the bank.

Inspectors discovered that favourites such as Bell's whisky and Gordon's gin were amongst some of the spirits with an identity crisis.

Any licensee found to be flouting the law could face a possible six months in prison and a fine of up to £20,000.

Councillor Mary Greenslade, chairwoman of the environmental sub-committee, said: "It's most concerning that spirit adulteration is so prevalent in Warrington.

"We have a large spirits producer in the town and it's businesses like Greenalls which this process can directly affect," she said.

A number of traders could now appear before magistrates and officers say that future inspections are in the pipeline.

They are appealing for people who believe their favourite tipple might have been tampered with to contact them in confidence on 442678.

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