AN extension to Bewdley's Alcohol Restriction Zone comes into force next week.

The existing zone was introduced in July, 2003 and following consultation, Wyre Forest District Council has now extended it to cover other parts of the town centre, the Shaw Hedge Road area and the Bark Hill play area.

From 9am on Wednesday, police will have the power to confiscate open bottles and cans of alcohol within the designated zone and failure to give up the alcohol is an arrestable offence, for which the maximum penalty on conviction is £500.

Bewdley beat manager, PC Nigel Barter, said: "The extended zone is intended to target particular problem areas and individuals. Law-abiding people will not be affected by the alcohol restriction."

Bewdley Mayor, Liz Davies, said: "I am delighted that the town council's drive to extend the Alcohol Restriction Zone in Bewdley has been so actively supported by the police and the council.

"This active co-operation can only be beneficial to the community and we will be carefully monitoring the effects of the zone in continuing to reduce anti-social drinking."

Councillor Nathan Desm-ond, district council cabinet member for community and leisure services, said: "Anti-social drinking is not acceptable and must be dealt with accordingly.

"I am pleased that we are building on the success of the Bewdley scheme for Stourport, which will have its first restriction zone in May."

During its first year, cases of disorder and alcohol-related crimes within the Bewdley zone fell by more than 30 per