A Shipley man is considering taking legal action to highlight the practice of pubs and clubs offering cut price drinks only to women.

Peter Tomlinson is furious that men are getting a raw deal on Ladies' Nights when women pay £3 to £4 for admission and then enjoy unlimited amounts of selected drinks.

The 54-year-old clerk is incensed by the promotions at The Old Library Wine Bar and Bigfellas night club, both in Main Street, Bingley, and The Travellers Rest in Leeds Road, Shipley.

And, according to the Equal Opportunities Commission, the practice could be in breach of the Sex Discrimination Act.

Mr Tomlinson said: "It's a matter of principle and I do feel very strongly about equality of all kinds. It really makes me angry about the way people are treated. If it was men who were being given preferential treatment I would feel exactly the same."

To tackle the issue he says he can either go to the Small Claims Court and claim compensation for financial loss caused by alleged discrimination against him as a male consumer, or lobby the licensing committee.

Mr Tomlinson, who has already written to the head of licensing at Bradford Magistrates' Court, added: "My intention is to speak to a solicitor to ask for advice, and, if there is no great risk to me financially, I shall make an application in the Small Claims Court. It cannot be right that these places can flout the law in this way with impunity.''

But the manager of The Travellers' Rest, Gareth Murgatroyd said: "If he dresses up as a woman he can drink for free too! The men are the biggest fans of the night because for lots of single guys it is an easy way to meet lots of women. The place is heaving on a Thursday night - we get about 50 women and about the same number of men. Everyone has a great time. We are in the process of trying to do something for the men."

Customer Andrew Dobson, 35, single, of Greengates, Bradford, said: "I come in on a Thursday night and it's brilliant. It's hard enough to socialise with women as it is so this is a godsend. It's a good night and I look forward to it. What Mr Tomlinson is saying is pathetic.''

A regular attender of the nights, Liz Higgins, 50, of Leeds Road, Windhill, said: "I don't think men are being discriminated against. I think the men are being treated better than us. They can buy Tetley bitter for 99p a pint every day so they have a good deal every day.

"Ladies don't drink beer for the most part, so I don't think he has a point at all."

Tony Lumb, owner of The Old Library Wine Bar and Bigfellas, added: "I have no comment to make other than to say that I am not going to pack in the scheme because of him.''

A spokesman for the Equal Opportunities Commission said: "Giving free drink to women and not men could be in breach of the Sex Discrimination Act - the question is whether women are getting preferential treatment."

Bradford's licensing panel chairman Councillor Martin Smith (Con, Ilkley) said: "Pubs and clubs are taking a disturbing direction in order to increase their trade. I am not happy that these offers are encouraging excess drinking, and I think it is a sad state of affairs. But the liquor licence is policed by the magistrates' court ,and it would appear to be an issue for them if anyone.''

Brian Fitzpatrick, head of licensing at Bradford Magistrates' Court, said he had advised Mr Tomlinson on how to bring it to the attention of the licensing committee.