DRINKERS in Colne could be hit with a £500 fine under new proposals to combat drunken behaviour in the town.

Councillors gave the green light to an alcohol exclusion zone being set up in the town at the Colne and District Committee meeting yesterday.

The booze ban would cover an area from Linden Road to Carry Lane, for 50 metres either side of Albert Road/Keighley Road.

That would effectively cover the whole town centre.

Under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, it will be a criminal offence to drink in the streets.

Police would have the power to arrest anyone who continued to drink or failed to surrender any alcohol when told to. Anyone failing to comply could be arrested.

They would face a fine of up to £500.

Council leader Alan Davies said the idea of the scheme came from regular discussions with the police,

They wanted to follow the examples of other towns.

Similar schemes already operate in Burnley, Padiham, Rossendale and Clitheroe.

He said: "I am in favour of the scheme. I think it will help tackle the problems of drunken behaviour.

Before an scheme came into operation the council would have to consult with police, licensees and any landowners within the zone.

Advertisements would have to be placed at least 28 days before it came into effect

Signs would be erected.