A COMMUNITY leader is demanding an alcohol ban is slapped on Rubery's parks in an attempt to crackdown on loutish and anti-social behaviour.

Bromsgrove district councillor Peter McDonald (Lab-Waseley) is campaigning to have St Chad's park and the Brook Road recreation ground turned into alcohol free zones.

"The time has come to stop the nuisance of young people using our recreation grounds at night for binge drinking. The police need powers to stop such activities immediately," he said.

"Vandalism, noise and anti-social behaviour should not be tolerated in our recreation grounds and I will be working in partnership with the police to stop it from happening."

Fellow Labour councillors Colin Wilson (Waseley) and David McGrath (Beacon) are supporting Cllr McDonald's plans, which are similar to a scheme in another Bromsgrove village.

Stoke Prior already has three areas which have been designated as alcohol free zones with offenders being fined up to £500 if they are caught flouting the law.

The zones are in parts of Ryefields Road, Shaw Lane and Hanbury Road, and were set up through a partnership between the district council, the police and the village's parish council.

"I have sent a letter to the chief executive asking him to consider implementing these alcohol and nuisance free zones into Rubery recreation areas," said Cllr McDonald.

"I already have the full backing of the police and will be campaigning to see the scheme implemented," he added.