PEOPLE in Ellesmere Port and Neston have until next Wednesday, August 22, to comment on whether Cheshire West and Chester Council should apply for a responsible drinking zone order for the area.

The zone would give police officers and the council’s community safety wardens the ability to ask a person to stop drinking alcohol in a public place where they had reason to believe that alcohol-related nuisance and annoyance was likely to occur.

Uniformed officers would also be able to confiscate alcohol.

It would not be a criminal offence to drink alcohol within the designated area, the council explains and an offence would only be committed if a person refused to obey a uniformed officer’s request to stop drinking.

The council is consulting on whether this is a power people would like it to adopt.

People can complete an online form or visit places including the reception at the council’s offices on Civic Way, Ellesmere Port Library, the Healthy Living Centre and Neston Recreation Centre.

They can also write to the council’s community safety team at HQ at 58 Nicholas Street, Chester or call on 01244 973941.