THE bid to ban booze in Bewdley town centre has been given the green light by councillors and looks set to be put into action by the end of April.

The proposal to introduce an exclusion zone that would make carrying open alcohol containers a finable offence was given the go ahead at a meeting of Wyre District Council's Executive on Thursday night.

The motion looks certain to be approved at a meeting of Bewdley Town Council. Members have been unequivocal in their support for the proposal on Monday evening.

It will give police the authority to confiscate open bottles and cans and to fine individuals up to £500 should they refuse to co-operate.

Bewdley Town Council said the decision is a vital step towards stamping out anti-social behaviour in Bewdley.

Councillors have said drunken yobs were causing mayhem in the town centre, leaving a trail of vandalism and intimidation in their wake.

The Shuttle/Times & News has also received calls from shopkeepers who say their Monday mornings are spent cleaning up urine, vomit and smashed bottles from their doorways.

Councillor Brian Glass, who, as portfolio officer, has seen the proposal through since it was first mooted by Bewdley Town Council last September, said the decision was a welcome one.

"The comments I have had from residents regarding this scheme has been resoundingly positive.

" This anti-social behaviour has got to be dealt with before it gets out of hand.

"It is a minority of louts who cause the problem - that is the brigade that we want to get to, people who cannot handle their drink."

Police said it was these louts who would be feeling the full brunt of the ruling.

They hope to allay the fears of some landlords that the exclusion zone would land them in deep water should their customers wander from their premises come the better weather.

Beat manager at Bewdley Police Station, Nigel Barter said: "We will use our common sense regarding the way we deal with anyone drinking within the exclusion zone.

"We will use our discrimination to attend situations that we feel deserve our attention."

A spokesman for the district council said it was in the process of ordering signs to signify the exclusion zone, covering the town centre as well as Stourport Road and Riverside North on the other side of the River Severn.

These will be erected once granted permission from Worcestershire County Council's Highways Authority.