IT’S a move in the right direction that a posh Manchester hotel is offering a range of attractive “water cocktails” currently.

They include fizzy water served in a champagne flute with a frosted rim and crushed ice, topped with slices of orange and lime, and may help people both drink less and not feel like party-poopers ordering water instead of alcohol.

It’s a positive initiative and commonsense demands that you wish it well.

However, it will be interesting to see what the cocktails cost as they are a world away from cheap or free “Corporation pop.”

And I can’t wait to see copycat versions in enterprising local pubs — get ready for a Rivington Rocker, water, ice and a sprig of greenery.

That will be £5, please.