Seventeen parks in Brighton and Hove could be given licences to serve alcohol during major events.

The city council has applied for the licences so drinks can continue to be served at events such as Party In The Park and Pride, following a change in licensing laws. Residents were worried the proposals would allow blanket drinking in the parks and lead to a rise in antisocial behaviour.

Philip Smith, 77, chairman of the Friends of Blakers Park, one of the spaces that would be affected by the new licenses said: "We've had problems before with people setting up drinking parties in the evening so we're trying to keep the park alcohol-free." But a spokesman for the city council said there were no plans to hold specific events and it was just a case of applying for the licences to overcome the new law if they decide to hold events in the future.

He said: "Under the new licensing regulations, licences are now required for events such as Party in the Park and Pride that are held in our parks and open spaces.

"We are therefore applying for licences for our parks in order to comply with the new regulations and to continue being able to hold such events."

He said people could still be stopped for drinking in parks or being anti-social.

Monday, December 12, 2005