A CONSERVATIVE candidate for the forthcoming General Election has been out on patrol with police to see the problems caused by binge drinking.

Ben Rogers, the Tory hopeful for the City of Durham constituency, joined police on patrol near the pubs and clubs on North Road on Saturday.

He said: "I witnessed several incidents and arrests, and saw the challenges, and the abuse, the police face.

"It has made me even more determined than ever to fight the binge drinking culture, to challenge the Government's crazy 24-hour licensing plans, and to campaign for more police on the streets."