A DAYTIME drinking ban is set to be introduced on the streets of Darwen in a bid to tackle 'yobbish' behaviour.

The ban, introduced in Blackburn and Accrington last year, will cover the bus station, Parliament Street, Railway Road, Union Street and most roads in the town, and could start as early as March 31. Police will evaluate the scheme in November to see if the ban should be extended to night-time.

Darwen councillor Mike Barrett said: "I'm fully in support because there have been issues with anti-social behaviour at the bus station. When people drink on the streets they can become aggressive and it can be very distressing for shoppers.

"At the same time we should be encouraging pubs and clubs to promote sensible drinking in the town centre."

Coun Dave Smith said: "You get these irresponsible people who trawl through the streets with bottles and glasses in their hands and they can always be used as weapons, so a drinking ban is bound to have a positive effect on crime levels."

Coun Paul Browne said: "It will definitely stop yobs walking around with cans and bottles and dropping them everywhere, but I don't think it will reduce crime."

Darwen MP Janet Anderson said: "These schemes work very well in other parts of the country and it's long overdue in Darwen. A drinking ban is bound to cut down the amount of disorder and, importantly, will reduce the acutal fear of crime."

Lesley Colling, relief manager at the Millstone pub, said: "I'm all for the plans because it will stop people taking cans and bottles on to the streets. We have bouncers at the weekend and on Fridays to stop it happening."

DC John Entwistle, of Darwen Police, said: "It has the potential to cut violent crime on the streets, a large percentage of which is alcohol-related."

The council wants public feedback on the plans, which can be viewed at Darwen Town Hall and Blackburn Library and Town Hall.