Boozers caught drinking on the streets of Blackpool could find themselves barred from off-licences across the town.

It comes as part of a new scheme aimed at getting off-licence bosses to work together to help police stamp out drinking on the streets.

Under the Off-Licence Forum, launched yesterday (Wednesday), shop owners and managers selling booze are being encouraged not to serve known street drinkers.

As part of the initiative, the first in the UK, the business people have already been handed pictures of 12 serial boozers police are aiming to get off the streets and have agreed to attend monthly update meetings.

In the coming months the 12 off-licences signed up to the scheme could also be linked up to the town link system to alert each other and police of the nuisance customers.

Police community support officer, Peter Rae, said: "We're delighted with the response we've had, the 12 stores we've contacted have been as keen as mustard to get involved.

"But there's no point going for the link system just yet. We need to prove it works before committing the £500 cost of getting on to the system."

The measures will also see community beat managers and support officers working together with police, Blackpool Council and the Blackpool Primary Care Trust to call time on the boozers.

Matt Ainsworth, manager of Booze Busters, Dickson Road, said: "It's a good start but we need to look at more issues to make it work. My biggest problem isn't street drinkers it's shoplifters, that's where I need support."

Angela Winstanley, manager of Booze Busters, Hornby Road, said: "It's a great idea. We've had people put our windows through when we've turned them away, only last week me and a member of staff wrestled a shoplifter to the ground outside the shop over a £3 bottle of cider. Some people will go to any lengths for booze.

"But the bigger problem in the town needs addressing as well, I know girls who are under age and they have membership cards and get let in to three clubs in town."