A CLAMPDOWN on underage drinking that has been making people afraid to use a Kidderminster park is under way.

Plans for an alcohol restriction zone in Brinton Park have received widespread support and could be in place early next year.

Kidderminster Charter Trustees and the Friends of Brinton Park have backed the move and Wyre Forest District Council is setting up a working party to drive the project forward.

The blessing of the police is still needed and a public consultation period must be held.

The news came hard on the heels of the district council's cabinet giving the green light to extending Bewdley's anti-social boozing ban.

But cabinet member for community safety, Nathan Desmond, claimed a bid for an alcohol restriction zone in Kidderminster town centre had been turned down for "political reasons".

He said: "In my opinion, it got far too political. Because the recommendation came from a Conservative councillor, I think other members defeated it for political reasons."

His claims have been fiercely contested by other political parties in the district, however, with Liberal leader, Fran Oborski, dismissing them as "rubbish" and Labour leader, Jamie Shaw, saying he "did not know what Mr Desmond was talking about".

Liberal Democrat councillor, Helen Dyke, said she and other district councillors acted on the advice of police, who said they did not recognise a serious problem with on-street drinking in Kidderminster town centre.

Mrs Oborski argued measures should be put in place to cover more parks in the town - saying the problem of youths drinking and abusing the public was "much worse" in St George's Park than Brinton Park.

Mr Desmond explained he made the recommendation for an alcohol restriction zone in Kidderminster town centre in June and put forward a separate proposal for Brinton Park a month after that was refused.

He said: "For some time, it (Brinton Park) has suffered anti-social behaviour and underage drinking, especially at weekends, and there is a fear issue with users of the park.

"So, obviously, I'm delighted that it got passed."

Inspector Paul Crowley, of Kidderminster police, said: "The police are consulted on proposed schemes and are always keen to support anything that reduces crime and disorder.

"Our recommendations to the local authority take into account the number of complaints received."

Mr Desmond added Bewdley's alcohol restriction zone had been extended to include the areas of Shaw Hedge Road, Northwood Lane and Bark Hill play area to tackle the "dispersal" of underage drinking from the town centre.

He pointed out: "Our figures show that while the introduction of the alcohol restriction zone in the town centre has reduced anti-social behaviour and underage drinking, there has been a knock-on effect with groups moving out to these outlying areas, and this needs to be addressed.

"We are determined to get a CCTV scheme for Bewdley town centre as well and that will do lots to tackle anti-social behaviour and reassure residents and shopkeepers that the district council is taking positive action to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour."

Plans for an alcohol restriction zone in Stourport were unveiled less than a month ago and are on display at Stourport Civic Centre until Friday, October 14.