A quiet drink at the local has always been one of the great British traditions.

But that's almost become a thing of the past at many bars because of one of the scourges of modern life - the mobile phone.

Now staff at one Bradford pub are hitting back at phone pests with on-the-spot fines.

A "fine tub" kept behind the bar at Saltaire's Boathouse Inn warns staff and customers of fines levied for receiving and making calls.

And justice is swift at the riverside pub. The ring of a mobile is quickly answered by the tub being placed in front of the offending mobile owner. Fines of 10p are meted out for incoming calls with those dialling out are asked for 20p. Receiving and sending text messages is also frowned upon.

So far more than £100 has been collected in fines. But instead of boosting the pub's profits, all the money will be donated to charity.

Boathouse manager Stephen Ashworth said: "I don't like mobile phones at all. When they ring and ring, they get on everyone's nerves, especially in a pub.

"When people are dining or are in for a quiet drink, the last thing they want is to be annoyed by mobile phones ringing.

"We decided if anyone's mobile rang in the pub, we'd fine them 10p. It's a higher fine for people making calls because you can't avoid being rung, but to make a call from somewhere like a pub has to be a cardinal sin.

"You can get a piece of equipment which cuts out the signal to mobiles and I was thinking of getting it, but in the end decided to give the money to charity instead.

"Everyone pays up and has entered into the spirit of it. Some people have tried to put their phones on mute or pulse but we generally find out and catch up with them in the end.''

Assistant manager Mick Halliday, who came up with the idea for the fines, said it wasn't just customers who fell foul of the Boathouse law.

Members of staff, including Mr Halliday himself, regularly have to fork out. And even T&A reporter Ian Lewis did not escape after being caught making a sneaky call back to the office.

Mr Halliday said: "It had got to the stage where there was a mobile ringing at least every ten minutes.

"I know people need them for business but it is annoying for other people when they're out eating and drinking or trying to have a conversation.

"We've had people trying to get away with it by sneaking outside to make a call, but if we catch them, we fine them as well.''

Lunchtime customer David Corcoran, who works for a firm of consulting engineers, said: "It's a good idea because a pub's a place of relaxation. People come to for a bit of peace and quiet.''

And planner Nick Shepherd added: "Mobiles are obviously very useful but there's a time and place for them. A pub's somewhere you go to get away from things like that. I think having the fines is a very good idea and it's for a good cause as well.''

Waitress Gillian Plows said: "I've been caught out myself once or twice, but it's a good idea and all for a good cause."

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