FOUR Ribble Valley villages are bringing in a booze ban to get drinkers off the streets.

Wilpshire, Ramsgreave, Salesbury and Clayton-le-Dale will see drinking in the street banned from Thursday.

Using powers from the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, Ribble Valley Borough Council has made an order giving the police powers to stop people drinking alcohol in the street and, if necessary, confiscate it.

A council spokeswoman said: "The order aims to tackle anti-social behaviour associated with drinking and anyone who refuses to comply is liable to prosecution, as well as fines of up to £500."

Similar orders have already been implemented in Clitheroe town centre, Longridge and the villages of Whalley, Read, Simonstone, Sabden, Chatburn, Billington and Langho.

And bans are already in place in busier town centres elsewhere in East Lancashire, such as Blackburn and Burnley.

The aim of the scheme is to cut alcohol related crime such as criminal damage or violent often associated to alcohol consumption in public areas. There is also the problem often caused by youths who hang around on the streets drinking.

By being able to target such groups it is hoped that the anti social or criminal threats from them will be diminished.

A police spokesman said: "It would be the same as the bans which have all been successful in that we now have the power to take alcohol off people if it is causing a problem. This scheme is not just about arresting people for drinking but about trying to educate people about the suffering caused by these type of offences."

Maps showing the exact areas covered by the order are available for inspection at the Ribble Valley Borough Council Offices in Church Walk, Clitheroe.