ALCOHOL is set to be banned from dozens of public areas as a council continues its crackdown on anti-social behaviour.

Newcastle Borough Council has already banned booze from 342 areas in the borough.

Now it wants to add a further 58 areas to the list, taking the total number of alcohol-free zones to 400.

Latest places to be targeted are Clayton, Knutton, Cross Heath, Silverdale, Butt Lane, Loggerheads and Thistleberry.

The list includes town and village centres, park and green spaces and playgrounds.

Roger Tait, pictured, head of operations at the council, said: "The council has powers to designate public places such as parks, town centres, children's playgrounds and streets to assist in controlling alcohol consumption in such areas.

"This piece of legislation allows Staffordshire Police to confiscate alcohol from people in these areas if they believe it could lead to alcohol-related disorder such as vandalism, rowdy behaviour and litter.

"The police support the designation of public places."

The plans are outlined in a report to members of the borough council's cabinet which meets on Wednesday.

The report states: "The purpose of designating further public spaces is to increase the ability of the police to control the consumption of alcohol, which can lead to alcohol related disorder."

The scheme, if approved, would cost just under £6,000 to implement. It would cover 23 areas in Cross Heath, where Jane Martin lives.

The 63-year-old, of Liverpool Road, said: "I think it's a fantastic idea and it's one which I and I'm sure other residents will welcome.

"The exclusion zone would help to prevent any problems before they start.

"There are two schools in the area so drinking on the streets is not really the sort of thing you want to see."

A total of 12 of the zones would apply to Knutton, including part of High Street and Black Bank football fields.

Tony Eagles, chairman of Knutton Residents' Association, said members had not raised the issue of under-age drinking as a problem at previous meetings.

But he added: "It has got to be a measure in the right direction."