A NORTH-East Quaker town that was founded upon an ethos of temperance is to become the first place in the country to draw up an innovative alcohol strategy.

Darlington aims to introduce a multi-agency alcohol strategy using partners, from the police to local businesses, to cut alcohol misuse.

It is hoped the town's health will improve, crime will reduce and the economy will improve as fewer working days are lost to alcohol

The strategy is being organised by the Darlington Partnership, and Darlington is the first town in the country to involve such a range of partners.

Youngsters will be educated about the dangers of alcohol, and the strategy team will work with the health service, licensees and businesses.

Steve Rose, chairman of the Darlington Partnership, said: "This has come as a recognition that alcohol causes problems within the town and that the solutions to those problems go across the board.

"We're not trying to take the fun out of the town but what we're envisaging is a joined up way of addressing the problems alcohol can cause."

Chief Superintendent Michael Banks, of Darlington police, who is a member of the partnership, said police would be working to ensure legislation is complied with and they would be concentrating on disorder.

He said: "While alcohol is often the cause of violent crime and anti-social behaviour, it has wider issues for the community.

"We would expect to see less alcohol-related crimes, less people admitted to A and E and less people unable to get to work."

The strategy is expected to be ready by the autumn.

Libby Ranzetta, a consultant from Alcohol Concern who is involved with the scheme, said: "We're not going to tell people they've got to stop drinking, but we want them to at least understand the risks that they are taking."