A STREET drinking ban is to come into force in two villages blighted by drunken behaviour by groups of teenagers.

Designated areas of Sherburn Village and nearby Ludworth, east of Durham, are to become alcohol free.

The ban will take in 28 streets and the area immediately surrounding the sports centre in Sherburn, plus eight streets in Ludworth.

It follows the recommendation of a joint police and council anti-social behaviour group, which identified areas where youngsters congregate and drink in public.

A consultation exercise met with a positive response in both areas, and the decision was backed by Durham City Council cabinet yesterday.

The alcohol-free zones will come into effect once final approval is granted at next month's full council meeting.

Lesley Blackie, the city's director of legal and administrative services, said: "We've consulted various interested parties and all were supportive. We haven't had any objections."

Mrs Blackie said there were some concerns from neighbouring parishes, Shadforth and Sherburn Hill, that it might move young drinkers in their direction.

But she said the police specifically identified the existing problem spots and further measures could be sought to extend the ban if it shifts to neighbouring areas.

Councillor Carol Woods, city council ward member for Sherburn, said: "We hope this will go some way to tackling these problems, but we will also be looking into other activities and facilities that would work to help keep young people off the streets."

If the ban goes ahead, signs will be mounted in the designated areas and police will have the power to confiscate and dispose of any alcohol being consumed.

Anyone refusing to dispose of alcohol or who persists in drinking in public could be liable to a maximum fine of £500 and may also face arrest.

North Durham licensing officer, Sergeant Tim Robson, said: "We feel this is an excellent means of dealing with this kind of anti-social behaviour fuelled by alcohol.

"The police welcome any kind of partnership-working designated to take action to tackle problems at the root."

If the ban is agreed by the full council, it will be the imposed first in the Durham area.