POLICE are testing Christmas revellers for drugs at pubs and clubs in Mansfield.

The tests will be carried out at several venues in the town centre, where a negative result will be a condition of entry.

The mobile testing machine will process plaster-sized swabs taken from people and can identify traces of cocaine, amphetamine and ecstasy.

Those who return a positive result will be searched and, if found to be in possession of illegal substances, arrested.

The drug testing is part of a number of anti-crime initiatives being run by police and pubs and clubs belonging to the Mansfield Association of Licensed Venues (MALV).

A mobile police station in the Market Place will also see police community support officers, bar staff and licensing officers check people's identifications, for example driving licenses and passports, before issuing proof of age wristbands which can be shown to pub and club door staff.

Drug and Alcohol Action Team workers will also be based there to hand out condoms and health and safety advice, and anti-drink spiking "alcotops" will be given out as part of Notts Police's No Regrets campaign, which aims to prevent rapes and sexual assaults over the festive period.

A CCTV van will be set up to complement the town's existing camera network and officers and taxi marshals will supervise people getting into late-night buses and taxis.

Dougie Gardner, Mansfield police licensing officer, said: "We hold these nights of action each Christmas and they prove very successful.

"All partners work together to achieve very simple aims – to ensure people enjoy the festivities safely and responsibly, to provide reassurance and advice, to reduce the risk of violence and to make people feel safer."

The operation began last night and will continue tonight, Saturday and on December 24 and 27.