A STREET-DRINKING ban is to be introduced in Darwen after £15,000 of Government cash was secured to run the scheme.

Blackburn with Darwen Council bosses have revealed that the cash will be spent over the next two years promoting the ban, which will be almost identical to the one in Blackburn.

Today police vowed to back up the ban with enforcement, which they insist they have also done in Blackburn despite criticism from traders that not enough is being done.

No date has been set for the implementation of the street drinking ban, although police say they are hopeful it will be 'imminent.'

Under the scheme, it will become an offence to drink alcohol in public. The police have the power to arrest anyone not responding to demands for them to bin the booze. A media campaign will be launched to promote the ban, landlords of problem venues, or hotspots, will be targeted for extra advice and help in stamping out drink-related problems and shopkeepers and off-licence owners will be advised of steps to take to make sure under-aged drinkers do not get their hands on booze.

The £15,000 is coming from the Neighbourhood Renewal fund, a £9.75million pot of cash given to Blackburn with Darwen Council by the Government to tackle deprivation and associated problems.