POLICE raised their glasses to Weymouth's pubs and clubs and thanked them for helping to make the night-time economy safer.

And officers said they were staggered by the response to a public vote in which drinkers got to nominate their pub of the year.

Organisers of the Drink Safe Street Safe initiative, which presents the Safe and Sound Awards, hope this will encourage other venues to sign up to the scheme.

The People's Choice award was presented along with the annual gold, silver and bronze accreditations which recognise licensees' commitment to public safety at a ceremony at the Hotel Rembrandt.

PC Mike McCabe said more than 3,500 of the 6,000 voting postcards were returned plus there were over 600 votes on the website for the People's Choice award, which he said was 'phenomenal'.

There were votes for pubs not part of Drink Safe Street Safe and PC McCabe will be visiting these premises and inviting them to join. His aim is to get every pub in Weymouth and Portland on board.

Competition was fierce but it was the Rendezvous pub and nightclub on the Town Bridge which was the People's Choice.

Manager Keith Treggiden, who has been at the helm for the past four years, described it as 'vibrant and very female friendly'.

He said: "The Rendezvous is all about having a party and being safe.

"We've got a loyal customer base and clearly they've all been voting for us.

"The award is for all the team because I can't do it without them. A special thanks to the door staff too who do a great job."

Accreditations were awarded to The Swan (gold); Lazy Lizard (silver); Banus (bronze).

Swan manager Kim Newstead is no stranger to picking up awards as the venue was twice voted Wetherspoon's Pub of the Year.

She said: "We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that we sell alcohol in a safe environment and encourage responsible drinking."

PC McCabe said there was only one point between the accredited premises and praised the venues for achieving high standards.

He would like to thank the evening's main sponsor The Barracuda and others who lent support including Island Training Partnership, JD Wetherspoon, Bookers, Developing Hospitality, Achievements UK, InBev UK and Hall & Woodhouse.