BLACKBURN town-centre boozers now face prosecution for drinking alcohol in the street.

But police enforcing the scheme, which was introduced yesterday, said they would adopt a softly-softly approach for the first month.

Under the new exclusion zone, all streets within the Blackburn orbital route are no-drinking areas.

However, a police spokesman said that throughout March they would be concentrating on an awareness campaign.

She said: "We want to make sure people know it is now illegal to drink from cans or bottles in the street before we begin a stringent clampdown."

The second wave of the crackdown will be a hardline campaign launched on April 6, when police will tell roadside boozers to stop and dispense of the alcohol containers safely -- or be arrested.

Councillors are hopeful that the new exclusion zones will lead to fewer attacks and that other anti-social behaviour will be curbed.

Under the new ban, police can approach anyone seen drinking and ask them to stop. If they refuse they can charged and face a fine of up to £500.

Under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, councils have the power to impose no drinking zones in areas where it is expected to lead to a reduction in criminal acts.

Derek Haworth, chairman of Blackburn Licensed Victuallers, said: "It has got to be a good thing. It seems to work in other towns.

"People need to know they can go for a drink in town safely, and that is good for trade."

But he said he felt the council should now tackle the problem of under-age drinking.

"I believe we should introduce identity cards for young people to overcome the problem," he added.