Street drinking may be banned after councillors gave the go-ahead to look at tough new bylaws.

They agreed to move ahead with plans to restrict anti-social drinking in public places in Worthing town centre in a bid to reduce the crime and disorder the town has been plagued with.

Borough councillor George Stephens said: "We want to signal the end of yob culture in this town. I was delighted to see this matter on the agenda and welcome the legislation proposed."

The council would use new powers introduced by the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001.

Police would be able to stop people drinking alcohol in designated areas and if they failed to surrender their drinks, the offenders could be arrested.

Mr Stephens asked councillors during a meeting at the town hall whether they thought the powers would reduce drunken behaviour and assaults in Worthing town centre.

Councillor Andrew Garrett said: "It is a positive initiative to deal with anti-social drinking.

"But I don't think it will reduce the yob element in the town as it is not dealing with everyone piling out of the clubs on to the street at the same time.

"That trouble is not a result of people drinking out of brown paper bags in the daytime."

He said the legislation would not solve the immediate problems in Worthing.

Councillor Mark O'Keeffe said he did not want to endure another summer of drunken behaviour on the streets but said the council was already dealing with the problem of people congregating at takeaways.

Council leader Brian Lynn said: "The fact we are sending out a message is the main thing. That is a start."

Other councillors hoped the plans would reduce violent assaults with broken bottles and some wanted the boundaries to be properly defined.

The police have proposed the area covered by the bylaws should include the square bounded by the seafront to the south, the railway line to the north, West Buildings, Crescent Road, Clifton Road and South Farm Road to the west and Merton Road, Farncombe Road and Homefield Road to the east.

The council will liaise with police before the executive makes the final decision on whether to adopt the new legislation.

Licensees will be consulted and the public will be able to make representations.

A progress report on the new legislation will be made to the executive in May.