BLACKPOOL is planning firm action to tame stag and hen parties that are ruining its reputation.

The move comes as police slammed licensees for stoking up trouble by selling cheap booze.

A code of conduct is to be discussed to keep trouble off the streets and out of the pubs and clubs.

Tourism boss Jane Seddon said: "The council can't do this alone. It has to be a multi-agency approach involving police, the clubs and hotels."

The issue is on the Tourist Forum agenda next Thursday.

There was a small percentage that gave stag and hen parties a bad name and the council wanted measures to make sure everyone adhered to a standard.

"We don't mind people having a good time but we do mind people overstepping the bounds of decency. No one is saying stag and hen parties should be eliminated in total, but there should be a set standard."

She said that some hotels already asked for a cash bond from such parties to ensure good behaviour.

"Young people have always come to Blackpool. Unfortunately public behaviour has deteriorated throughout the country.

It's acceptable to get drunk -- and that is wrong and should not happen. People should behave themselves and if they are not prepared to do that they shouldn't come."

Alan Sayer of the Highfield Hotel, Empress Drive, said: "I hate it. I don't sleep while they are here.

"They don't do Blackpool any favours but what do you do if that's all there is in Blackpool?"

He said they tried not to take parties in during the illuminations and did not mix them with families.

"We had one group and they expected us to keep the bar open until six o'clock in the morning for them to bring women back and then go to bed. We said 'no' and they booked out of the hotel."

Sharon Clayton of the Glengarth Hotel, Charnley Road, said she knew of hotels which were forced to take in stags and hens.

"People are having to take stag and hen parties in to have some income. They don't want to to but stag and hen parties keep it going."

Their hotel had had a good bank holiday but the rest of the year was a struggle and that people were being put off by the stag and hen parties.

Supt Andy Rhodes of Blackpool police said that some premises were irresponsible with drink discounts.

"The whole point of the exercise is to get as much money as possible out of people. There is only one result. It will only increase disorder and violence and that impacts on everyone."

He said licensees had a key part to play and they should follow the examples of hoteliers who were controlling the behaviour of their guests.

"There are some people who are only interested in making a quick buck.

"The problem isn't lack of police or commitment by the council, it's too much alcohol. It's a problem all over the country -- the binge drinking culture which is encouraged by excessive marketing of alcohol."

He also defended Blackpool's reputation which suffered in the recent ITV programme Tourists from Hell.

He believed some incidents had been played up for the camera.

"It isn't different to any other major town that has a lot of licensing in a confined area."