Moves to extend a ban on street drinking in Kemp Town, Brighton, have been held up.

Police were given tougher powers to tackle street drinkers in November 2001.

However, residents and traders in other areas say the problem has only been shifted to them and is getting worse while new measures are delayed.

Police are able to confiscate bottles and cans in the designated area bounded by the seafront, Old Steine, Edward Street, Eastern Road and Eaton Place.

Anyone refusing to hand over their drinks can be arrested and face fines of up to £200.

Community safety workers charged with plotting the future of the scheme have fallen behind schedule.

Residents have reported problem drinkers have been displaced to areas outside the zone, such as Norfolk Square and London Road.

Paul Ritchie, owner of Banjo's sandwich shop in Norfolk Square, said: "We are getting more and more street drinkers at this end of town. We are getting new faces all the time.

"Some days we have as many as 20 gathering, abusing people as they walk past and generally being intimidating.

"Two drunks were heard getting off a train at Brighton station asking where Norfolk Square was. It is becoming known as the new hotspot."

Community safety workers have been analysing the results of several public consultation exercises on the St James's Street scheme and possible extensions.

The report was meant to be ready for Brighton and Hove city councillors to consider this month.

A council spokesman said: "It has been delayed due to pressure of work in our community safety team.

"As soon as it is ready we will obviously be announcing its contents as we appreciate it is an issue of keen interest to local people."

A ban on street drinking across the whole of Brighton and Hove is thought to have been ruled out.

The most likely recommendation is to extend the designated area to cover the whole city centre.

Any extensions would need Home Office approval before coming into effect.

David Kerr, manager of the Equinox Day Centre in the Old Steine, Brighton, has warned he would need extra space and staff if more drinkers were forced off the streets.