A CUMBRIAN scheme introduced to improve the safety of night-time revellers, has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.

The county’s Best Bar None scheme has been shortlisted for the ‘Best New Scheme’ in the Best Bar None Awards. The next round of judging will take place in January, before the winner is announced at a ceremony in the House of Lords on February 4.

The scheme has only been running for 10 months, after launching in February.

However, the county faces stiff competition from Worcester and Havering, as to which scheme has had the biggest impact on its community in its first years of activity.

There are three categories in the awards: Best Overall Scheme; Most Innovative Scheme; and Best New Scheme.

Best Bar None was introduced to Cumbria to benefit the evening and night-time economy by improving safety and vigilance amongst the region’s personal license holders.

The scheme originally set out to accredit 12 venues in its first year, but it already boasts 17 members.

The fledgling scheme has also teamed up with Age Concern to better support the region’s elderly community, providing food, warmth and companionship over the winter months.

Scott Adams, the scheme’s co-coordinator for Cumbria, said: “We’ve already seen measurable reductions in crime across Cumbria since we launched our Best Bar None scheme, and that’s only in a few months.

“Mitch Franks, my fellow coordinator, and I are really looking forward to what we can achieve in our second year of running the scheme.

“We’ve had great feedback from the venues that have joined Best Bar None so far, as well as our local police. Everyone is really happy with the general feeling of cooperation between the evening and night-time economy trade and the local authorities.”