COUNCILLORS have agreed to ban public drinking in Dipton, near Stanley.

Residents in the village have been terrorised by a group of youths who congregate on street corners drinking alcohol and becoming unruly.

Durham Police asked licensing authority Derwentside District Council to impose the prohibition, which means anyone caught drinking on the street can be arrested.

Council leader Alex Watson said: "This is an area that is quite notorious for anti-social behaviour attributed to alcohol. The police are keen to stamp it out.

"This is a pilot scheme and if it proves to be successful, no doubt other communities will be keen to have the prohibition in their areas.

"Anyone caught drinking outside will be arrested immediately."

Mr Watson said he did not blame local off-licences for the problem but said people were drinking contraband alcohol that has been brought into the country illegally.

He added: "There are some laws that exist to prevent underage drinking but they are not strong enough. Now drinking outside will be a greater offence."

Dipton residents have endured problems with gangs of youths fighting, swearing and riding off-road motorbikes near their homes.