Street drinking is to be banned across Brighton and Hove. Police will be given extra powers to arrest those who refuse to hand over bottles and cans.

Councillors last night agreed to apply for permission from the Home Office to extend a pilot scheme, which has been a success in Kemp Town, across the rest of the city centre.

The move follows complaints from residents about drink-related crime and intimidation.

It will allow officers to take a tougher line against street drinkers who have turned some parts of the city centre into no-go areas at all times of day.

The council has said it wants to balance the policy with an improved programme of help for alcoholics to help cure them of their addiction.

Members of the powerful policy and resources committee last night approved the scheme as part of a £200,000 package aimed at clamping down on antisocial behaviour.

It has been welcomed by people living in Norfolk Square, Hove, who last week told us their lives were being made a misery by drunks.

A council spokesman said the Kemp Town ban, centred on St James's Street, had been a success since its introduction in 2001.

But he said evidence suggested some drinkers had simply moved outside the area, shifting the problem to other parts of the city.

He said: "These people are addicted to alcohol so simply arresting them or fining them cannot and will not stop their drinking. These people need professional help and we are looking at sources of funding now."

The ban gives police the power to move quickly when they see street drinkers causing offence.

It allows officers to approach people who are drinking in banned areas and ask them to take the alcohol away. If they refuse they can be arrested for breaching a bylaw.

Brighton and Hove City Council leader Ken Bodfish said: "We want to extend the street drinking ban to the city centre. This will include Norfolk Square."

Before any ban can be implemented the council needs Home Office approval but councillors said it is likely this will be forthcoming.