COUNCILLORS may be forced to reveal which of Swindon's pubs are their favourite under new rules to give local authorities more power over drinking.

The politicians could be asked to name their top watering holes in an effort to prevent accusations of fav- ouritism when they are dealing with pub licences.

Government legislation looks likely to transfer responsibility for licensing from magistrates to councils.

Councils already have licensing committees, but they currently deal only with one-off events asking for public entertainment licences, such as music events.

The need to name your favourite pubs would apply to councillors on new committees dealing with whether to grant a licence to a pub, or to extend the opening hours.

A list of their drinking haunts would be published as part of a new register of interests, if councils decide to use new powers. It would make interesting reading for voters as it could indicate just how much time their elected representatives spend drinking.

It would also give an insight into what kind of a person they are by revealing if they like traditional pubs or favour trendy new wine bars.

And politicians enjoying a quiet pint may find unhappy members of the public use the list to track them down and complain during their free time.

But that doesn't bother real ale lover and Swindon mayor Derek Benfield (Lab, Coving-ham and Nythe).

Coun Benfield, 70, said: "We have to be mindful of when to declare a pecuniary interest because we are duty bound to do so. But I reckon I would have to declare an interest in every pub in Swindon that sold Arkells beer.

"I think may be the type of watering hole you frequent does reflect the sort of councillor you are I know that I prefer a quite pint while some of the younger ones prefer some of the trendier wine bars.

"But with regards to the licensing laws, I would expect councillors who represent 180,000 people in Swindon to have their fingers on the button more so than magistrates."

"I transferred straight from national dried milk to Arkells 3Bs. I love the roast flavour of the hops, but I remember years ago when it was kept in wooden barrels it was difficult to keep and very susceptible to changes in the weather.

"The Wild Deer at Westcott Place was where I cut my teeth on Arkells when I was a lad."

Lionel Starling, the council's senior environmental health and licensing officer, said: "The Licensing Laws come fully into the Council's jurisdiction by around February 2005.

"From early 2004, publicans will have to apply for old style licences in the usual way and at the same time, to the Council for a new style licence, which will be 'activated' later on.

"Publicans will inherit their old opening times automatically but they will be able to ask for any new hours, subject to public consultation."

Magistrates' courts currently deal with pub licensing, but under new legislation one council, the Forest of Dean, has set up a licensing committee to deal with applications for extended opening hours.

Elected members sitting on the committee have to declare a 'non-pecuniary' interest if a pub they frequent asks for longer opening hours under new rules which allow 24 hour drinking.

Earlier this year councillors sitting on Swindon Council's licensing committee granted Old Town bar Mackenzie's an extension, which means the Wood Street bar can now stay open until 1am on Friday and Saturday nights.