A BOOZE ban petition is now circulating around homes living close to Worcester riverside as a campaign to stamp out anti-social behaviour moves up a gear.

About 100 people living near Hylton Road have already signed up in favour of a ban, following complaints about empty beer cans and bottles lying around.

As the Worcester News reported last month, local singer Jamie Knight is spearheading a campaign to get the drinking ban in place.

Mr Knight, aged 32, who lives in Comer Gardens, has been backed by various local residents and has visited St John's to drum up support.

Although a drinking ban already exists in the area, it only applies to one side of the river and ends as soon as people cross Sabrina Bridge to the Hylton Road side of the Severn.

Mr Knight said: "I finally got round to starting the petition last weekend and have been going to lots of streets trying to get people to sign up to it.

"So far I would say I have had a good response - only two people disagreed with me on the idea, and I've got close to 100 people signed up to it.

"The homes in Comer Gardens, Oldbury Road and streets around parts of St John's have been covered so far.

"I'll carry on doing it every day and envisage being able to send it off to the council next week. There are lots of streets still to do and we're hoping for 200-300 signatures.

"It's funny how so many people have come up to me saying they agree there is a problem."

The next step is to win approval of the city council before a final decision is taken on a ban by the police.

Coun Ian Imray, who serves the St Clement's ward, said Mr Knight would be given the chance to present his findings to the authority.

"He can either hand it to me or give a presentation on it to the whole council," he said.

Worcester police says they will approve a ban if there is evidence to show the need for one.