BLACKPOOL tourism chiefs hope a new street boozing ban will help strengthen the resort's family fun image.

Blackpool Council's bid to ban alcohol drinking in the open air won approval from the Government this week, to become operational on June 1.

It affects streets in the main holiday area from South to North Shore, all public parks and council-run car parks and the Mereside and Grange Park housing estates.

Pamela Ruddy, president of the Blackpool Hotel and Guest House Association, said:

"We've been campaigning for this since August 1996 and we're very pleased that it's coming in.

"We look to our members to give it their fullest support and get the message across to their visitors in a friendly way about what is acceptable behaviour in the town.

"We hope it will send a very positive message to visitors that we welcome those coming for fun as long as they remain within the law."

Blackpool environmental health and public protection chairman Councillor Norman Hardy said: "Residents and tourists alike tell stories of intimidating and threatening behaviour by people drinking alcohol on our streets.

"Enough is enough and we have moved swiftly to put ths law into operation and give the police the powers they need to stop this loutish behaviour."

Blackpool tourism chairman Councillor Roy Lewis said: "I am positive hoteliers, guest-house owners and tourists will be delighted by the news of this ban.

"This will help deter drunken yobs from the town and continue to make Blackpool a firm favourite holiday destination for families."

Outdoor tables attached to pubs will not be affected.

Street drinkers face fines of up to £500.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.