A CRACKDOWN on street boozers will see Leigh town centre become an Alcohol Free Zone by the end of March.

A joint venture between Wigan Council and Leigh Police will mean anyone caught drinking in certain areas could be arrested and fined.

Leigh will be one of the first towns in the country to implement such a ban under the new Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, which came into legislation in September and allows local authorities to make an order for an alcohol ban providing they have evidence of disorderly behaviour in the area.

The council is in the process of making an order and it is hoped the first phase of the ban, which involves the Civic Square, will be in place by the end of March.

John Pendry, the Council's Risk Management officer, said: "The process is very complex. We are due to have a formal consultation with police, we need to consult occupiers and owners of premises in the proposed ban area. We need to give the public 28 days notice and we have to install adequate signage before the ban can be fully implemented and enforced."

One element

The proposed ban is one element of a strategic five-part plan to give Leigh a new town centre. Improvements are already underway, with additional security and refurbishments to the Bengal Street toilets expected soon. Police enforcement, the Lifeline project and a positive action team make up the the other three elements.

Councillor Brian Jarvis explained: "This isn't just about a drinking ban. For the last five years the town hall square has been disgusting. There have been scenes of drinking, vomiting, urinating and drug taking. Funerals and weddings have been disrupted.

"We are taking pride in our town centre, we are reclaiming it for the families of Leigh."

The project aims to be a long-term solution and, depending on the outcome of phase one, there are provisional plans for a further two alcohol free zones around the bus station and Church Street war memorial gardens.

Councillor Jarvis said: "We accept the ban will not solve all problems in the town, and we understand there is the possibility of them moving somewhere else. That is a problem we will deal with and if and when it arises. The message to undesirables is clear -- carry on drinking at your peril."