Landlords have pledged to tackle binge-drinking by outlawing drinks promotions.

Many pubs in Brighton and Hove, which has the second highest level of alcohol-related deaths in men in the country, say they no longer offer happy hours or two-for-one drinks offers.

Even in notorious West Street, operators are cutting down on cheap drinks.

Louise Cross, 30, the licensee of Greens bar, said: "We have done promotions in the past which were mainly aimed at students but we try not to do that any more so we don't have to deal with the aftermath."

Greens is one of 19 pubs, clubs and bars in Brighton and Hove belonging to the C-side chain. C-side has phased out drinks promotions in all its venues.

Another big local chain is Zelgrain Ltd, which owns 26 venues in the city including The Western Front in Churchill Square and The Open House in Springfield Road.

A spokesman said: "When we do happy hours we only take a pound off premium lagers at quiet times. We don't feel that encourages binge drinking."

Wetherspoons and Yates's say they are also taking steps to tackle the problem, including ending "upsizing" - the practice of offering a double measure of spirits for less than twice the price of a single.

These policies mirror an announcement yesterday by the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) that its 70 brewery and pub retail members will be ending all happy hour offers.

The Pavilion Tavern, The Font, O'Neills and The London to Brighton Hog will all be following the new standards.

The policy changes by pubs come as local authorities take over the job of issuing alcohol licences.

When the new licences come into effect in November, they will also have the power to close down venues with the help of the police if they think they are acting responsibly.

Inspector Bill Whitehead, of Brighton and Hove Police, said: "We applaud and welcome any move which brings a degree of self-regulation and responsibility by the drinks industry."

Councillor Jeane Lepper, the chairwoman of Brighton and Hove's licensing committee, said: "Hopefully curbing happy hours and two-for-one offers will contribute to making our streets safer."