HAMPSHIRE beer drinkers are being ripped off with over-priced drink and poor quality pubs, claims a new book.

A survey by the Good Pub Guide shows Hampshire drinkers pay 35p per pint more, on average, than the cheapest beer in the country, but they do not necessarily get a better service than in the cheaper pubs.

The cheapest places to have a hangover are in the North West of England, while the most expensive night in a pub would be in London, said the national survey of the annual guide's readers.

In addition to the wide variation in prices, 18 per cent of drinkers were fed up with badly-kept beer or with the narrow choice of beer.

They criticised the quality of food, with 30 per cent saying bar meals were inedible or unacceptable, and 25 per cent saying bar staff were rude or indifferent.

Most of the prices reflect the North/South economic divide, with cheaper prices the further north one goes.

Hampshire landlady Zara Woodman, of the Red Lion, Stubbington, said: "Drinkers are getting very good value for money in my pub because we have never-ending offers on different drinks.

"We're part of a national chain which has a national standard for its staff training and for its overall pub service and dcor.''

She said the price of land, rents, rates, employment and transport was higher in the South, so prices were reflected in that. However, special offers which could not be found anywhere else were compensation

Ann Binns, the South Hampshire Campaign for Real Ale spokeswoman, said: "I support anything that brings down prices, but good pubs and beer are not all about the lowest prices.

"Good value for money is the key. I'm against sacrificing quality in the name of cost.''

Nigel Welsh, of Hampshire brewers Ringwood Brewery, said: "We concentrate on premium, good quality beer in relatively small amounts compared with the big boys. Therefore, because we're a smaller brewery we can last afford to give the drinker anything but the best beer possible.

"There are undoubtedly, brewers who are charging too much for beer, but people who are very happy with their pubs often don't mind paying a bit more.''

The guide's editor Rob Unsworth said: "The drinker is losing out. Even with the economic differences accounted for, there's no real explanation for such a discrepancy in beer prices.''

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.