POLICE have announced a crackdown on street drinking at a Ribble Valley festival after drunken revellers caused chaos at last year’s event.

In 2009, the annual Longridge Field Day was followed by an evening of anti-social drunken behaviour resulting in 20 arrests.

This year, Longridge Sergeant Graham Marshall has vowed to keep the disorder at bay by adapting a tough zero-tolerance approach.

Officers will be strictly enforcing Longridge's on-street drinking ban, particularly in central areas including the bowling green, garden of remembrance and Berry Lane at the event on June 12.

And off licences have been asked to restrict sales of bottled alcohol, particularly beer. Pubs will close at 6pm on the day, police said, while officers will search people for alcohol who arrive on buses.

Sgt Marshall said: "We are hoping that it will be a family-orienated fun day and we will not tolerate it being spoilt by any incidences of anti-social drunken behaviour."

Last year hundreds of families attended the event, which includes a procession through the streets.

The sunshine had brought revellers from across Lancashire to the town, but police said incidents of people being drunk and disorderly began after 7pm.

Residents complained of youths blocking streets and smashing bottles.

Longridge town councillor, Jim Rogerson, said: “I fully support what the police. We hope it will be a fun-filled family event with no nuisance.”