A RESPONSIBLE drinking zone could be set up in Ellesmere Port.

A public consultation was launched on Monday to assess whether people in the town want a so-called designated public place order or DPPO.

Cheshire West and Chester Council can apply for the zone, which 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 have reason to believe that alcohol-related nuisance and annoyance is likely to occur.

Uniformed officers can also confiscate alcohol.

It would not be a criminal offence to drink alcohol within the designated area.

An offence is only committed if a person refuses to obey a uniformed officer’s request to stop drinking.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is consulting on whether this is a power residents want them to adopt.

To let the council know your views, visit Civic Way reception, Ellesmere Port Library, the Healthy Living Centre Rural West or Neston Recreation Centre.

Alternatively, call 01244 973 941 or write to the Community Safety Team, HQ, 58 Nicholas Street, Chester.

The consultation is open until August 22.