TOWN centre pubs in North and East Yorkshire could be ordered to use plastic glasses in a bid to slash the number of glassing injuries sustained by drinkers.

The move is being considered by the Department of Health as part of a wider crackdown on the harm caused by excessive drinking.

One of the options is the wider use of toughened plastic glasses, which are already used by some pubs voluntarily.

Ministers are also looking at reducing the number of drinks, such as fashionable beers, which are served in glass bottles.

The restrictions would only apply to busier pubs in town centres, where there is a greater chance of alcohol-related violence.

A consultation document published by the Department of Health said there are more than 5,000 glassing injuries every year.

The paper said: "The most visible effect many of us see from alcohol misuse is in our towns and city centres: pavements littered with broken bottles and streets too intimidating to pass through."

The document was launched by Public Health Minister Hazel Blears ahead of a National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy to be unveiled next year.

Ministers are also looking at measures to curb the growing trend of binge drinking.

They want to stop the increasing alcohol abuse among young women, and reduce the links between drinking and violent disorder.

In the foreword to the document, Ms Blears said: "Most adults in England drink and the majority drink sensibly.

"For them drinking is part of a pleasurable social experience which causes no harm either to themselves or others.

"Government has no need to intervene in this enjoyable aspect of life.

"But there is another, less pleasant, side.

"For some people the misuse of alcohol brings serious consequences for the drinkers themselves, for their families and friends and for the community as a whole.

"This is a legitimate area of concern for a responsible Government."

She added: "I hope all those interested in this area will help us to ensure that we have identified the key issues, give us their ideas and solutions for future action, and tell us what current practice they think has worked well - and what could work better."

Updated: 12:01 Tuesday, October 22, 2002