IF you're not going to behave, don't come here! That is the stark warning from Blackpool's tourism boss this week.

The message came on Wednesday (August 9) as plans to clamp down on loutish behaviour on the resort's streets are stepped up.

Following The Citizen's investigation last week into a national newspaper's allegation of lewd and drunken behaviour by visitors, our mailbag was brimming with letters from residents all in agreement that the town has fallen into decline.

They feel the streets are filling up with drunken mobs of youths on hen and stag nights and are disgusted with a series of late-night strip bars opening their doors as well as the usual problems with cleanliness and litter.

Head of Tourism, Jane Seddon, said historically young people had always visited Blackpool. She said: "Some go over the top and Blackpool does not want to cater for them.

"It is important that we make sure the regulations prohibiting drinking in the streets are enforced. People need to feel safe. "We want people to have a good holiday and we want people to know that they can't just come here and misbehave. We are a family resort and loutish behaviour is not acceptable.

"Society has changed over the years, especially the youth market," she added.

The council has recently launched a Night Time Forum with the police and the town's shop and club owners in a bid to identify specific problems.

And council leader George Bancroft has formed a think tank with various council departments, including trading standards and the tourism department.

But Laura Clarke, pictured, boss of Club Blackpool, which organises hen and stag party weekends, said Blackpool needed party revellers.

"Blackpool is built for parties. People don't come here for peace and quiet -- they come for a good time and that is exactly what the resort is famous for," she said. "Saying that, there's a big difference between harmless holiday fun and aggressive or lewd behaviour and Club Blackpool is happy to work alongside the police, hoteliers and any other organisations to let people know bad behaviour will not be tolerated.

"The majority of our clients are professional people who want to have a good time. If lap dancing is what people want then it should be catered for as long as it is an appropriate place.

"Today's party-goers are tomorrow's parents and they in turn will return to the resort as a family in later years," she said.

But many residents are far from happy. One wrote: "Walk along the promenade after 10pm (if you dare) and every night you will encounter bad language, drinking and obscenity from all quarters. Where is the police presence? You tell me.

"Families now avoid Blackpool like the plague. Would you want your children to witness men dropping their trousers and displaying everything they've got? Gangs of women use the same language and more often than not encourage the men to go even further.

"Tacky plastic novelties are on sale alongside sex aids in most promenade shops. It stinks -- and so do the traders who display and sell them. Nowhere else in the country would this be allowed or accepted. So why Blackpool? The only solution is more policing and 'zero tolerance'."