A crackdown on street drinking in East Brighton has worked so well, the only question is why it wasn't implemented much earlier.

Now community workers are looking at whether it should be extended to other parts of the city centre.

The only downside of the Kemp Town ban is that some of the drinkers have migrated to other areas nearby.

With an extended area, there would be no hiding place for them, improving the main tourist centre of the city.

For years, residents and visitors have been put off by the sight of drunks begging, fighting or even threatening people while out of their head on alcohol.

The ban has enabled police to confiscate bottles and cans from persistent drinkers and impose fines where necessary.

It is also possible for drinkers who want to do something about their addiction to go to a drying-out centre.

Other city and town centres such as Coventry and Bath implemented the bans years ago without any ill effects.

It's high time Brighton and Hove did the same.