A town centre drinking ban looks set to be extended after police supported the idea.

A large part of Yeovil town centre was made an alcohol-free zone under The Criminal Justice and Police Act (2001).

The ban doesn't include pubs and restaurants, and is enforced in the way that anybody caught drinking alcohol commits a criminal offence only if he or she refuses to stop drinking or fails to hand over any open alcohol container when asked by a police officer.

Town councillors heard last week that drinking takes place just outside the designated area.

The places in question are outside Somerfields on Old Station Road, Stars Lane, South Western Terrace, Newton Road and Yeovale Leisure Complex.

As a result it has been proposed to include these locations in the alcohol-free zone.

A town council report said: "Observations of public drinking in Old Station Road have been forwarded to the police who have been requested to formally record these instances.

"The police have also been requested to inform Yeovil Town Council of any evidence of such problems in this area plus Stars Lane, Newton Road, South Western terrace and Yeovale Leisure Complex."

At a council committee meeting last week it was reported that police had confirmed there is a problem in all the mentioned locations.

In addition, police also suggested that Court Ash, Court Ash Car Park, North Lane and Market Street be included.

At this point, there was a suggestion to include even more locations, but town clerk Alan Tawse explained it was only possible to include areas with a proven record of problems.

Yeovil Town Council resolved to request that the alcohol-free zone be extended as discussed.

The request will be made to South Somerset District Council, which is the authorising body.

* The cost (including new signs and public notices etc) of extending the zone is estimated at £2,500 - to be split between the town and district council.