A NORTH-EAST town is calling time on lager louts.

Councillors in Middlesbrough voted yesterday to designate areas of streets in the town as alcohol free zones.

"We have no intention of being labelled killjoys, but in certain areas of the town drastic and dramatic action is needed to curb this menace,'' said council leader, Councillor Ken Walker. "The decent people living there deserve nothing less.''

New powers allow councils to designate areas where people can be arrested for drinking alcohol in public.

Coun Walker has promised the widest possible consultation with wards "over the exact areas to be designated and where evidence supports that a demand exists already, then we will create these zones".

"We will not tolerate any form of yob culture in Middlesbrough and we will take whatever measures are needed to combat it wherever, and whenever it arises.''

Commissioner for community safety, Councillor Robert Smith said: "Drinking in public places such as street corners, parks and bus shelters is at the core of much anti-social behaviour and violence, not to mention the associated detritus that casts a shadow on too many of our communities."