BOOZING in the streets could be banned in the borough's biggest crackdown on yobs.

Community leaders want to bring in a bylaw banning the consumption of alcohol in public to combat the rising tide of anti-social behaviour.

The campaign already has the backing of 40 publicans in Ellesmere Port & Neston, police and borough councillors. was shocked by the level of drunken violence in the Port after hours.

He said: 'One night earlier this year I'd been to a function in Southport and came back through the town at night.

'I was shocked and surprised to see the number of youths in an inebriated state at 1.30am.

It is spearheaded by Cllr Mike McCusker, who for many years.

'Police showed me CCTV scenes from Whitby Road and Station Road, where officers were being pelted with bottles. It was like Gunfight at the OK Corral. That convinced me that action was needed.'

Cllr McCusker (Ind, Whitby) says a similar bylaw has been enforced successfully in Chester.

'It has brought anti-social behaviour there down by 13.5%,' he said. 'So let's do it here. Let's work together to make the borough a better place.'

The cost to the council of introducing the bylaw is an estimated £5,000. It needs the approval of the community committee, which meets in September, before going to full council for a final decision.

Cllr McCusker said he has won the support of councillors Tony Walsh, John Wilson, Tommy Griffiths and others, as well as Insp Adele Jones, in charge of the borough's policing, and Sgt Steve Bailey.

Jacqueline Fadden, landlady of the Olde Red Lion in Little Sutton and chairwoman of Ellesmere Port Pub Watch, said the plan is supported by her 26 members, plus at least 16 members of Neston Pub Watch.

She said: 'The bylaw has worked very well in Birkenhead and Wallasey, and superbly in Chester. Giving this power to the police will hopefully improve things for residents.'

Would you support a ban? Let us know:

0151 3562345 - Pioneer, 66 Whitby Road, Ellesmere Port CH65 0AA

pioneer@cheshirenews.co.uk