Alcohol consumption is to be outlawed in Yeovil town centre from March 1st this year.

The decision was taken by South Somerset district councillors, who used powers under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 to impose the ban.

The act allows local authorities to impose such a ban if they can prove that nuisance to the public and disorder in affected areas have been caused by the consumption of alcohol.

Licensed premises, however, will not be affected by the change and can keep serving their customers as usual.

Yeovil Town Council started consultation work about two years ago and hoped to introduce the ban in the shape of a bye-law. But the creation of the police act meant there was no need for such action.

The cost of the project is about £2,500 and will be split between the town council and the district council.

Areas affected by the ban are: Bond Street, Central Road (Labour Club, Middle Street), Church Path, Church Street, Clarence Street, Glovers Walk, High Street, King George Street, Middle Street, Park Road, Peter Street, Princes Street (including pathway leading to Clarence Street), Silver Street, South Street, Tabernacle Lane, Union Street, Waterloo Lane, Westminster Street, Wine Street, The Borough, bus station areas adjoining Central Road, Petters Way Car Park, the grass area at the Reckleford and Eastland Road junction, St John's Churchyard and the adjoining car park and the covered car park at Waterloo Lane.

* Those caught will be given a chance to escape punishment as drinking will only become an offence if a person refuses to stop consuming and hand over any open bottle/can when asked to do so by a police officer. The maximum penalty is a fine of £500.