Romsey'S crime-busting Pubwatch scheme has impressed Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy. During his whistle-stop tour of the town last Friday he indicated he'd like to see similar schemes rolled out across the country.

Mr Kennedy chatted to the police officer behind the highly productive Pubwatch crime-fighting initiative, Sergeant Barbara Hardcastle, and two publicans - Sarah Dormer and Sharon Conduct - who have been inspirational to its success. Afterwards he acknowledged the benefits of the scheme, which has resulted in a big reduction in booze-related violent crime since it was introduced last spring.

Mr Kennedy said he was keen to see more measures taken to reduce anti social behaviour nationwide. "Anti social behaviour should not be tolerated and combating it should be a priority for police forces and local authorities. That is why we are proposing the Anti-Social Behaviour Order Plus - because although ASBOs are useful in some circumstances they should always be accompanied by other interventions to tackle the causes of the offender's behaviour. The 'Plus' part of our proposal would, for example, mean getting a young person to agree to a contract of acceptable behaviour in addition to the ASBO," said the Lib Dem party leader.

Asked whether the Lib Dems would put more police officers on the beat if the party was in government, Mr Kennedy replied: "Yes, this is a top priority for us, which is why we've promised to put 10,000 more police on Britain's streets. This will be paid for by not introducing the government's misguided identity cards scheme - which, according to the government's current estimates, will cost £5billion on top of the £85 cost per card which we will have to pay."

During his brief visit, Mr Kennedy went walkabout with the town's Lib Dem MP Sandra Gidley.

Mr Kennedy spoke to market traders and market boss Greg Davies as he made his way to an event called Women's Day at the town hall. There, Mr Kennedy chatted to women connected with numerous organisations about Lib Dem policies and women in high-profile jobs about their role in the community.

Chilworth-born Romsey Market trader, Jill Elson said: "I told him my main concerns were about my pension. I've paid stamp duty since I was 18 and I said to him that I was worried about my retirement because I won't be able to afford to live on my self-employed pension alone. I am not entitled to a full pension. You will probably see me on this stall until I am 90 odd. What makes me cross is all these foreigners come into this country and they get housing benefit and free NHS treatment."

Mr Kennedy also spoke to Gill Sanger who runs a fruit and vegetable stall about the number of hours she worked.

His visit lasted for about 90 minutes and during it he dropped into Oxfam's shop and Reeve the Baker in the Hundred.

Mr Kennedy was greeted by party supporters and given a warm welcome by the Romsonians he spoke to.

One shocked bystander was heard to say to a small boy: "Your dad's not going to believe it when I tell him who we just saw."

Mr Kennedy made his party's views on pubs opening 24 hours a day crystal clear. He said: "We have called for the government to delay the implementation of the Licensing Act in response to police, local authority and public concerns. It would simply be inappropriate to change the law at this stage."

Former borough councillor, Brian Palmer was one of the many people who gathered to greet Mr Kennedy. He said: "It was brilliant to have him here. He got a very warm and friendly reception.

And Romsey Abbey ward borough councillor Sally Lamb described Mr Kennedy as "down to earth" after meeting him.

Mrs Gidley said: "The feedback I've had from the Women's Day event has been very good and they want to do it again. They had a chance to say what they thought about various issues. Charles liked the format."