Street drinking could be banned in one of Brighton and Hove's worst affected areas.

There were 320 incidents of drunkenness in the St James's Street area last year.

Police took 645 calls to deal with begging, needles, drug use and public order offences, 408 disturbances in public places, restaurants and pubs and 471 other disturbances.

Brighton and Hove councillors are likely to approve a bylaw banning street drinking in the area on Wednesday.

Street drinking diaries kept by residents and traders showed more than 120 incidents during the winter at all times of the day and night.

Tom Mannouch, manager of the Thresher off-licence in St James's Street, said: "This is a small step on a very large ladder and there is still plenty more that needs to be done before we can get rid of the problem.

"Although incidents are happening all year round the worst time is usually between Easter and October with longer days and more visitors to the area."

One resident, who kept a log of incidents between January and March, said: "We have families here who have to escort their children in and out of their homes because they don't want them to be confronted by drunks."

Council culture and regeneration director Sarah Tanburn said many street drinkers needed help but they caused problems. She added: "There are frequent reports of people badly frightened."