A STREET-DRINKS ban has left council bosses with a headache after it was revealed warning signs were wrongly worded.

Twelve signs put up at a cost of £2,375 may now have to be replaced after a councillor spotted they incorrectly stated that it was an offence to consume alcohol in public.

Whalley Coun Chris Sterry told a Ribble Valley council meeting that - as well as giving the public misleading information - the oversight could also leave the authority liable to legal challenges.

Coun Chris Holtom, chairman policy and finance committee which ordered the signs be installed 12 months ago, conceded the wording was 'technically inaccurate'.

The signs reads: "It is an offence to consume alcohol in public in this area. Maximum penalty £500."

But an offence is only committed if people refuse to comply with a police request to stop drinking.

Coun Sterry said: "As well as potentially obstructing the public wishing to enjoy their rights, such as enjoying a quiet drink at a picnic in a public park, this potentially opens up the council to legal challenge by people wishing to assert those rights."

There are two signs each in Clitheroe, Longridge, Whalley, Sabden, Read and Simonstone.

Coun Holtom said: "Technically it can be argued that they are not correct. The orders are not a complete ban on drinking alcohol.

"What they do is give the police power to ask anyone drinking in a designated area to stop and surrender their alcohol. It's then an offence to fail to comply with this.

"Unfortunately it's a difficult message to convey on a small sign."

He confirmed the council was now considering changing the signs.

One resident, Ian Hill, 46, from Whalley, said: "It sounds like more money wasted. I have seen some signs and I assumed it meant a total ban on drinking in the area."

Mike Corrigan, a senior partner at Farley's solicitors said: "The simplest way round it would be to change the wording to 'it MAY be an offence to consume alcohol in public'."