TOWN centre lager louts could find themselves banished from the streets of Burnley in a two-pronged attack on booze.

Burnley Council is looking to introduce a by-law which would make it illegal to drink alcohol in the streets and at the same time a voluntary code is also being pursued.

Coun Tony Harrison told members of the public protection committee: "We have already asked licensees to consider adopting a voluntary agreement and if we have their backing then it will be included in licences when they come up for renewal.

"Sponsorship for the scheme has already been found. The police are not in favour of a by-law and prefer a voluntary code and so far we have had support form the licensed trade."

He said other towns that had introduced a by-law had to outline a specific area and it was found that the problem just moved outside the cordon. Mick Deveney, the licensee of J J Murphy's pub in the town centre, has written to 50 pubs asking them to back a voluntary code which would mean glasses and bottles could not be taken off the premises except in a beer garden or where there was strict supervision.

Coun Eric Selby said the problem was not just the drinking of alcohol but the disposal of cans and bottles which were left littered around the streets.

Coun Barry Guttridge said there was a particular problem in the bus station where cans were being bought from a nearby supermarket and people were not able to get on buses for people lying and sitting in the queuing area.

Councillors recommended carrying out a study over six months with a view to imposing a by-law while also still pursuing the idea of a voluntary code.

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