AN overwhelming response supporting a ban on drinking alcohol in public places has been received through public consultation.

Blackburn is now a step closer to becoming one of the first places in the country to make drinking alcohol in its centre an arrestable offence.

Blackburn with Darwen Council started public consultation just weeks after new regulations came into force under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 which granted councils the power to impose 'no drinking' zones in areas where it felt a nuisance or disorder existed as a result of public drinking.

Responses from 10 organisations including the police, shopping bosses, hospital chiefs and licensees across Blackburn fully supported the proposal, which will hopefully cut the number of alcohol-related crimes. Nobody opposed the proposal.

Under the new regulations police would be able to demand people stop drinking and arrest them under existing public order laws if they refuse. This will also extend to people drinking on benches in the town centre, which is a particular problem on Blackburn Boulevard.

Blackburn is one of the first authorities to implement the new powers although other town centres in Lancashire are updating bylaws which prohibit drinking. And Accrington, Clitheroe and Darwen are also expected to adopt the proposal.

Under Blackburn's plan, all streets within the newly-formed Orbital route -- Barbara Castle Way, Higher Audley Street, Lower Audley Street, Russell Street, Freckleton Street and Montague Street -- will be included in the project.

Councillor Maureen Bateson, executive member for citizen's and consumer rights, said: "The law changed in September and we were keen to find out as soon as possible if the people of Blackburn and Darwen wanted to see a banning order put into place.

"It now appears that everyone is in favour of the ban. Our move is in response to complaints that have already been made about the number of people drinking in our streets and the amount of drink-related crime.

"It is our hope that by making it an offence for people to drink in our town centre streets we will improve the safety of the area for shoppers, visitors, traders and workers."

Licensees of premises in certain areas, such as on Church Street, can apply for a licence to allow their customers to drink at open-air tables if it is deemed appropriate and police have already given the scheme their backing.

Chief Inspector Neil Smith of Blackburn Police said: "We fully support the Council's intentions and continued working relationships in an effort to make Blackburn with Darwen safer for our communities."

A meeting of the Council's executive board will consider whether to introduce the banning order in the new year.