Problems including smashed windows, late night violence and vomit in doorways are causing misery for the people of Poulton, it was claimed last week.

Wyre Council is set to look again at introducing special rules making it harder to open new pubs and clubs in the centre of town after hearing pleas from police and members of the public.

Councillors heard last week statement on the problems alcohol is causing as the town centre becomes an increasingly popular spot for drinkers from across the Fylde Coast.

Members of the licensing committee heard from business people, taxi drivers and Police licensing officer for Wyre, PC Mike Pyke, who claim that up to 5,000 people can be found in the town's pubs and clubs each weekend.

One local shop owner who responded to a consultation exercise described having a shop window smashed and finding vomit and litter in doorways. Others spoke of their fear of walking the streets in the evening.

A proposal to introduce a special licensing policy for Poulton this year, which was debated by the licensing committee last Thursday, was narrowly rejected on the casting vote of the chairman, Cllr May Ghandi, in favour of taking another look at the situation after another year.

If a special policy is introduced next year it will mean, it would mean licensing applications would be refused unless applicants could demonstrate that their activities would not make the town's problems worse.

Under the current rules, it is up to objectors to show that premises would worsen problems in order to see them rejected.

However, officers warned councillors that a special policy could face a costly legal challenge unless the agency requesting it provided a 'firm evidential base' involving a study of all crime and disorder in the area, evidence from environmental health on nuisance claims and a comparison of crime and disorder with another area 'of similar size and character.'