STUDENTS at Southampton Institute have denied their massive 3,000-strong city

centre pub crawl will be boozy, saying the idea will actually promote sensible drinking.

The students' union says the event, called The Big Pub Crawl, is merely a guided tour of "student friendly" venues and a way to show people safe routes home.

Police back the pub crawl, which will see between 1,500 and 3,000 'freshers' - students just arrived to study in the city - tour an undisclosed number of venues before ending up in a club.

Residents' associations forecast that the event would end in late-night noise and damage to their property.

Pubs have paid £50 and clubs £500 to be included on the list for the night, which will take place next week. The exact day has not been revealed for fear the students will be

targeted.

Institute student union president Ben Craig said: "The emphasis is not on getting drunk but on having a good time,

making friends for life and, above all, safety. This campaign will help the students of Southampton to be good residents and help improve the city's standard of

safety.

"Under the guise of a pub crawl, new students will be encouraged to visit the safer 'student friendly' venues, to drink sensibly, and to find safe routes home."

Student liaison officer PC Steve Mullins will be holding pre-event safety briefings with student stewards, called Angels.

He said: "We wish them well and hope the evening passes peacefully and that everyone has a good time."

A spokesman for the institute said the union's responsible attitude was a source of pride.

"The students' union has taken the problems of binge-drinking seriously and has put its efforts this year into

promoting sensible drinking right from the word go.

"Students will register for the event and receive a wristband which says 'Southampton Institute Students' Union and Hampshire police remind you to drink sensibly' and will be barcoded with identification and an emergency contact number. Students will be picked up from their halls of residence in small groups and guided to pubs around the city on set and safe routes.

"The pub tour has been meticulously planned so the groups don't bang up against each other to avoid huge numbers

gathering in the one place and queues outside venues, which can often happen."

Yesterday the Daily Echo reported that residents and some licencees in the city centre were alarmed at the prospect of up to 3,000 students taking part in the pub crawl.