A campaign to drive street drinkers out of an area which has undergone a major facelift has been launched.

Brighton and Hove City Council spent more than £100,000 cleaning up Norfolk Square but people living and working nearby said it was still blighted by drunks.

Shopkeepers said the down-and-outs put shoppers off and the problem needed urgent attention.

Glen Cartwright, who runs Banjo's sandwich shop in Norfolk Square, said: "The council did the square up and spent £110,000. The drinkers appeared to go but now they have flowed back.

"It's bad for business in the area. It's not attractive and people won't come here because of it."

Mr Cartwright said he wanted to see an on-street alcohol ban introduced like the one being enforced in the St James's Street area of Kemp Town.

The ban came into force last year and gives police the power to arrest people who continue to drink on the streets despite being warned not to. Those who break the law can face fines of up to £500.

Sixty people signed the Norfolk Square petition, which was handed to Brighton and Hove Council by ward councillor Roy Pennington.

Coun Pennington hoped drinkers would be offered help if a ban was brought in.

He said the Kemp Town scheme would be ideal for Norfolk Square but would have to be considered by the councillors, police and the agencies who work with people with alcohol problems.

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: "We've received the petition. We take it seriously and feel for the residents of the square.

"But it's important the Kemp Town scheme is properly evaluated before we extend the street-drinking bans."