TIME is being called on drinking on Middlesbrough's town centre streets to make the town more welcoming.

Councillor Barry Coppinger, Middlesbrough Council's executive member for community safety and leisure, said: "It is about deterring people from making a nuisance of themselves, whether on an evening when the town is busy or during the day when people come here to do their shopping or to work.

"This area of town has the advantage of comprehensive CCTV coverage and people can rest assured that we are going to be very vigilant and very quick to report people who are seen flouting this rule."

The alcohol free-zone, backed by Cleveland Police, comes into effect today and covers the Middlehaven, Gresham, Park and University wards of the town, which include the commercial town centre, adjacent residential areas and Albert Park.

Middlesbrough joins its neighbours banning on-street drinking. Stockton was one of the first in the UK to have its town centre declared an alcohol-free zone in 1989 along with Billingham and Norton, while Yarm and Thornaby followed in 1995. A ban on drinking in public places is law in large parts of Hartlepool.

Redcar could soon apply for similar status.

Coun Coppinger said: "We want Middlesbrough town centre to be a place where everyone can come to enjoy themselves. We also want it to be a place where people know that certain rules and standards of behaviour apply to everyone at all times.

"We will be asking the police to enforce these rules vigorously."

Chief Inspector Andy McDyer, of Cleveland Police, said: "We know that 99 per cent of the people who come to Middlesbrough to enjoy themselves do so without any bother - and they are always welcome.

"This sends a very clear message to the one per cent who come and cause trouble that we have the determination and the powers to deal with you."

Police will have the power to ask someone drinking in a public place to stop. If they refuse, it is an arrestable offence with a £500 penalty