SLEEPLESS nights could be a thing of the past for Fylde residents as noisy pubs and clubs feel the long arm of the law.

New police powers have come into force to allow them to close pubs or nightclubs immediately where disorder or unreasonable disturbance to local residents is taking place.

It means that pubs which have been noisy or troublesome in the past will have to take action to decrease noise levels -- or face the consequences of being closed for up to 24 hours.

And residents and shop owners in Poulton handed over a 500 signature petition in favour of the new power last week to the MP for Lancaster and Wyre Hilton Dawson.

John Pickering, a resident of Prudy Hill in Poulton, said: "I am all for this power and hope that the police will use the tools they will now have to hand. In the past everything seems to have been in favour of the licensees rather than the residents -- hopefully this may make a difference.

"It might make the people running these places think a bit more about what is happening around them."

David Hartley, a member of a St Annes Community Action Group added: "I am sure that it will be a good thing and that many members of the group will back this new power up.

"I live a bit further down the road from St Annes night clubs but I know many people who have problems with noise spilling from the clubs. My son is also regularly awoken by revellers passing our house."

Inspector Richard Debicki of Poulton police said: "The new power is fairly limited in that it does require a senior officer to make a temporary closure of premises for 24 hours if disorder is taking place on or near the licensed premises and closure is necessary in the interest of public safety.

"It can also be used if a disturbance is being caused to members of the public and closure is necessary to prevent this.

"The new law requires us to take into account the conduct of the licensee or management before we make the closure order."

When asked how this new law would relate to Poulton's nightlife he answered: "We are currently doing a lot of work with local licensees to ensure pubs and clubs in the area are managed responsibly. We have set up a licensees forum to share good practice and a radio network between those involved and the police in order to tackle any trouble and unacceptable behaviour at the earliest stage."

Ward councillor for The Breck area of Poulton Harry Taylor said: "I think it is a good thing that the police will have this new power and it will make nightclub proprietors more responsible to their community."