TWO Swindon town centre pubs are calling time on swearing - but drinkers remain unimpressed.

The Savoy in Regent Street and the Grove Company Inn in Fleet Street, both owned by the JD Wetherspoon chain, are asking drinkers to be more considerate in their language, with repeat offenders facing the prospect of being thrown out.

Wetherspoon's spokesman Eddie Gershon said the chain was not banning swear words outright just asking customers to keep a watch on their language and not to be too loud about it.

He said: "We are not banning swearing because you couldn't, you would never get round to serving people.

"But we are aware of people's concerns in our pubs. We have two in Swindon town centre that are open all day and attract a cross section of people.

"If people are sat in a group having a drink and their language is not really vulgar then it is fine, but if someone is being too loud they might be disturbing other people."

Many people enjoying a lunchtime pint in the pub firm's two town centre outlets gave the idea a warm reception.

Maureen Cook, 39, from Pinehurst said she does not mind some bad language as it adds to the atmosphere of a pub.

She said: "The Savoy is a nice pub. It's got a good atmosphere and I think a bit of swearing adds to the banter.

"You don't want to be somewhere on a night out where you have to be watching every word you say."

But economist Geoff Richmond, 50, from the town centre, says certain words are unacceptable.

"Swearing is fine provided it is not too gratuitous," he said.

"If you go into a pub you have to expect a certain amount of bad language but if someone was sat next to me using a lot of it I would get fed up."

His friend Kenneth Foukes, 65, a retired council employee from Rodbourne, said the language used depended on who people were with and what was being talked about.

He said: "I don't mind swearing, but it depends on the company I am with.

"I wouldn't swear in front of a lady but if I was drinking with my mates and talking about football it would be a different matter."

The pub chain is considering putting a No Swearing sign at the foot of its menus.

Nursing assistant Tracy Mason, 32, from Rodbourne backed the idea.

She said: "If you come into a place that accepts children you don't want to hear lots of swearing.

"I think you can come out and have a good time without mouthing off but it really depends on what pub you are in."

The Savoy manager Claire Gladwyn said: "This is not a blanket ban on swearing but if someone is being loud and disturbing other customers we will ask them to be quiet and mind their language.

"If they stop then it is fine but if they don't then we will ask them to leave, but they won't be barred."

www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk