POLICE moved on drinkers from Blackburn's Boulevard -- and said that the town centre drinking ban was working.

Last week shoppers, councillors, publicans and the town's Chamber of Trade called for the police to crack down on the area after trouble last Thursday.

Two arrests were made after a group of young people were seen fighting, creating havoc with traffic, and sleeping on pavements.

A father also revealed that a drunken man had lunged at his 10-year-old daughter on the same day, outside the train station.

Yesterday drinkers were seen congregating again around the benches across from the rear of the Cathedral. Police officers also spotted them while on patrol and moved them on.

A team of 12 officers police the town centre, of which at least three will be on duty at any one time. Their responsibilities include policing prostitutes, shoplifters and any disorder.

The ban on street drinking was introduced in April and gives police the power of arrest if people refuse to throw away alcohol when asked to do so.

Town centre Sergeant Phil Davies said: "We cannot be here all the time, but we are here as often as we can be.

"I spend a lot of time arresting them and moving them on. The drinking ban is working. We keep moving them on, and they get bored and go home."