PLANS for a ban on drinking in public could harm the image of a town among tourists, according to town councillors.
Councillors at Kirkbymoorside are concerned about the plans by the police and Ryedale District Council.
Town councillor Andy Suter said: "The proposed ban is disproptionate to the problem.
"Kirkbymoorside doesn't have a Micklegate run such as York, nor like the town centre of Scarborough".
He said that many people who had been drinking in the street during the summer had been watching football matches in nearby pubs.
He went on to say there were sufficient laws to stop under-18s drinking in public and he questioned what would happen at the traditional Boxing Day hunt meet when the stirrup cup was handed round.
He said: "It will be an anti-business slur on Kirkbymoorside."
Coun Suter expressed concern that families would not visit the town if it was perceived to have a drinking problem which needed to be controlled by a ban.
The final decision on a ban will be left to the district council.
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