Chester-le-Street District Council plans to ban the drinking of alcohol in some public places.

The council has harnessed powers enabling it to ban booze in areas that are blighted by drink-fuelled crime. Anyone caught consuming alcohol in such a designated area can be arrested by the police.

The move is aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour, violent disorder and underage drinking in parts of the district.

Pauline Wilson, the council's legal and democratic services manager, said: "The police will also have the power to confiscate and dispose of any alcohol and containers in the person's possession.

"It will be an arrestable offence to fail, without a reasonable excuse, to comply with the police officer's request.

"These measures will not lead to a universal ban on drinking in the open air, nor will they lead to blanket restrictions on alcohol consumption or create alcohol free zones."

Before the powers can be used, the council must assess the level of anti-social drinking in the areas it proposes the ban alcohol.

Evidence of nuisance is expected to be provided by the police and Crime Reduction and Disorder Partnerships.

Once the evidence on an area has been gathered the council will have to consult any parish or community councils, licensees, landowners and occupiers.

Suggested areas so far include Front Street in the town centre, Riverside Park, Cone Terrace, Cooperative Street, Ashleigh Terrace and Lombard Drive, as well as the surrounding villages such as Pelton Fell and Urpeth Grange.

Licensing Sergeant Tim Robson, of Chester-le-Street Police, said: "We welcome any legislation, which will bring a better quality of life to the people of Chester-le-Street.

"The use of designated areas is one step further to dealing with the problems caused by alcohol and the effects on crime."

Sgt Robson said the new powers would be used to target unruly groups of young people drinking in parks leaving cans and bottles near children's play equipment.

It will also focus on reducing weekend violence caused by revellers in the town centre. It is part of an action plan issued by the Government in 2000 to tackle the problem in areas across the country.

Neighbouring councils including Newcastle, Middlesbrough, York and North Tyneside have already adopted the powers.