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A pub has banned parents from buying more than two alcoholic drinks if they have children with them, it has been revealed.

The Wetherspoons policy came to light when a poster was put up in the Robert Pocock pub in Gravesend, Kent, following "unruly behaviour" from some of its punters.

The pub said it was "protecting children from harm" after seeing parents let their children "run around uncontrolled".

It added: "Therefore adults in charge of children will be allowed to have one alcoholic drink and a further alcoholic drink with a sit down meal."

After the limit has been reached, staff have the "legal right to refuse service of alcohol," it said.

The notice was put up on Sunday but has since been taken down. The limit still remains in place.

It is a nationwide policy for the brand, which individual managers can choose to enforce.

The pub said the policy had been in place for some time but had not been followed rigorously in the past.

The poster sparked heated debate among locals, with some arguing that "Spoons was not a nursery" and others claimed the move was just another move towards a "nanny state".

Customer Jonjo O'Connell commented on the debate on social media, saying he agreed with the rule "in principle" but warned it could be open to abuse.

He said: "Considering the type of parent it is aimed at, a pub is not a creche and I think some parents seem to forget that!

"Although I anticipate the rule will be circumvented by some just going around the corner to The Goose and staying there or returning later to the Pocock when a different shift arrives."

A JD Wetherspoon spokesman said: "The manager took the decision to put the poster in the pub to emphasise to customers that she would not allow parents to drink while their children were running round uncontrolled in the pub.

"The notice had a positive effect, with mostly good feedback."

According to a 1902 licensing act, it is illegal to be drunk while in charge of a child under the age of seven. Anyone found in contravention of the rules can face a fine – or even a month behind bars