A BAN on boozing in a Worcester churchyard has sparked calls to banish nuisance drinkers from all the city's churches.

In September last year city leaders voted to arm police with tougher powers by making St John-in-Bedwardine Church, St John's, a no-alcohol zone.

And the success of the move has now prompted several other churches to explore the possibilities of extending the ban - a call that has won the backing of the Safer Worcester Partnership.

Parishioners in St John's had complained that groups of people had been using St John-in-Bedwardine's churchyard to gather and drink.

They said drunks had been seen urinating in view of children from a nursery in King Charles Place, there was petty vandalism and cans and other litter was being dumped.

The Community Support Officer for St John's and Lower Wick is now going to find out how much backing there is for a ban on drinking in all churchyards.

Over the next few weeks Lyndsay Reynolds will ask parishioners to tell local beat managers about problems with "inappropriate alcohol consumption or drunken people".

"Concerns expressed by clergy and the wider community have come to the fore in the wake of publicity surrounding the moves in St John's," said Tracy Reck, co-ordinator of the Safer Worcester Partnership.

"Several other churches have since requested similar designation for their churchyards and we're now considering the inclusion of other Worcester churchyards whose clergy take the view that the community as a whole would benefit from an enforceable drinks ban."

Churchyards included will be added to the growing list of locations where public drinking is banned - including the city Centre, canal towpaths and the CrownGate and Reindeer Court shopping centres.

To discuss this issue with Lyndsay Reynolds or to report churchyard incidents, contact Dines Green Police Post on 08457 444888 ext. 4003 or e-mail lyndsay.reynolds@westmercia.

pnn.police.uk