A Hampshire-based multiple operator has decided to in-troduce polycarbonate glass-ware in all five of his venues.

Philip Cox said the switch was due to "safety concerns" rather than as a direct result of police pressure after the force wrote to all licensees in the area urging them to go polycarbonate.

Cox's Nelson's pub in Gosport and adjoining nightclub Emma are the first in the town to go completely glass free, including pint and wine glasses, and beer and alcopop bottles. There have been two glassing incidents at the venue in Cox's 13 years.

"It is about the safety of our customers," he said. "With the smoking ban there are also more people using the outside areas and so polycarbonate is safer."

It cost £1,000 to completely switch the glassware. "I had a nightmare getting plastic bottled products through Punch Taverns," he said. "In the end Punch gave me permission to get them through Matthew Clark. The bottled products are between £1.50 and £3 more expensive a crate. But the cost is worth it if it stops someone losing an eye.

"It is a big initial outlay, but I honestly think I will get a return overall because we probably get 40 or 50 glasses broken a month. In our six-week polycarbonate trial, we lost just 10."

Cox said he plans to make the switch at two of his other pubs - the Castle Tavern and the Rose & Crown in Fareham - by the end of the year. A partial switch will be made at the food-led Golden Lion in Fareham, with polycarbonate in use at the bar and glass in the restaurant.

"I think all town-centre pubs should make the move to polycarbonate," he added.