COUNCIL bosses in North Yorkshire will have new powers to ban drinking in public places from tomorrow.

Ministers hope the new powers will help to reduce drunken behaviour in town and city centres.

Councillors in Harrogate have already debated the possibility of using the new powers to ban outdoor drinking in certain designated parts of the district.

Last month the Evening Press revealed the number of arrests for drunkenness in North Yorkshire had soared by almost one-fifth in the past decade.

There is currently one prosecution per every 1,250 people living in the county - although tourists are to blame for some of the 18.2 per cent rise.

Home Office Minister Keith Bradley said anti-social drinking could damage the image of an area and be a nuisance for traders and residents.

He said the new powers would allow local authorities to target troublesome spots where public drinking is rife.

Once an area has been designated, a police officer can order a person to stop drinking and hand over their alcohol.

Anyone who refuses could be hit with a fine of up to £500.

Councils do presently have the power to ban drinking in certain areas.

But this can only be done through the "cumbersome" - and often lengthy - process of introducing a by-law.

Under the new arrangements, council bosses only have to hold a short consultation exercise with parish councils, the police and licensees.

The new powers are contained in the Criminal Justice and Police Act, which was rushed through before the General Election.

The legislation also makes posting prostitutes' cards in phone boxes a criminal offence for the first time. Anyone caught doing this could be hit with a £5,000 fine or face up to six months in jail.

- Scarborough is one of seven towns and cities across the country which were allowed to drinking in main streets from March 1989. The ban has been regarded as a success in all seven areas.

Updated: 11:05 Friday, August 31, 2001