A LEADING pub landlord today admitted his position as chairman of a respected association was under threat after he was convicted of substituting spirits for the second time.

Derek Hawarth, landlord of the Fox and Hounds pub, in Ewood, and chairman of Blackburn's Licensed Victuallers Association, said an "honest mistake" led to him being prosecuted by Trading Standards last month.

During a routine inspection officers from Blackburn with Darwen Council found a substituted brand of gin was being sold as Gordon's.

Hawarth pleaded guilty to two offences and was fined £50 for each. Magistrates also ordered him to pay prosecution costs of £749.60.

The court was told Hawarth was given a formal caution by Trading Standards for a similar offence last year after whisky at the pub was found to have been substituted.

At the time of the inspection in January, Hawarth was on holiday. He said another member of staff had replaced the gin with a different brand kept behind the bar for cocktails. He added: "This happened while I was away and it was an honest mistake. Someone used a bottle of imported gin we kept at the back of the bar to make cocktails when someone is celebrating a birthday. It was just a 100 per cent mistake.

"I was not trying to fiddle customers or to make money. The court accepted that and I was fined. After speaking to my solicitor I realised I had no alternative but to plead guilty, so I did."

Hawarth said a similar mix up led to him being cautioned in 2002.

"When someone is chairman of an association they are there because they are respected. People will see that I have been prosecuted and think I was on the fiddle, but I wasn't.

"They checked another half a dozen bottles which were fine and what happened was an accident."

Chris Allen, head of Trading Standards and Advice Services at Blackburn with Darwen Council said the problem is on the increase. "Consumers have a right to expect that when they purchase drinks they are receiving exactly what it says on the bottle.

"Substitution of spirits for cheaper brands is a problem that is becoming increasingly common and which gives the landlord an unfair commercial advantage on other licensees who sell the genuine article.

"In this particular instance, the strength of the gin was 20 per cent higher than the genuine product, which could have health or safety repercussions for consumers who are used to drinking a set amount."