Plans to introduce a law banning street drinking in Eastbourne have been thrown out.

Borough councillors were considering making the bylaw but at a meeting last night they decided it would be unworkable.

The decision has caused anger among some hotel managers and residents, who say street drinkers are intimidating and bad for tourism.

The proposal was aimed at reducing under-age drinking in the town centre and cutting alcohol-related violence and public drunkenness.

Anyone found drinking alcohol in parks, shopping centres or on the seafront could be told to stop by police and face prosecution if they continued.

Last night, however, councillors agreed that a bylaw would just push the problem to other areas.

There were fears it would ruin plans to develop on a 'street cafe' theme.

Councillors said it would be difficult to have a law where people could drink on one side of the street, within licensed premises, but not on the other.

In Hastings a similar bylaw came into force in August, and some in Eastbourne are disappointed with the councillors' decision.

A spokesman for Eastbourne Hotels Association said: "We are very disappointed because we felt the town would have benefited from this bylaw.

"As far as I'm aware the residents wanted it and it has proved successful in other towns."

A spokesman for the Town Centre Management Steering Group said action needed to be taken to deal with street drinkers.

He said: "It's a social problem and the street drinkers need somewhere to go.

"I think the cabinet are right in saying the bylaw would push the problem elsewhere.

"However, their presence is intimidating to many people, even though there seem to be few cases of any violence or threatening behaviour.

"Given the options, I think councillors made the right decision, but they can't stick their heads in the sand and decide to do nothing. That won't solve the problem."

Councillors recommended the Town Centre Task Group work with other community groups to find other ways to tackle the problem.