COUNCILLORS have been advised to get their "glad rags on" and hit the town to gain first-hand experience for a major study into Kidderminster's nightlife.

Members of a Wyre Forest District Council watchdog panel were told they should sample the town's pubs and clubs as part of an investigation into how to promote the "evening economy".

"We are going clubbing, in other words," said chairman of the environment and economic regeneration policy and scrutiny panel, Fran Oborski. "We need to experience the evening economy to scrutinise it.

"I am not suggesting we stay out till four in the morning but we have to do this in detail."

Mrs Oborski - who suggested hiring a mini-bus for the jaunt - told a meeting of the panel: "We keep saying in the district council about the night-time economy in the district. We need to find out for ourselves what the night-time economy is really like and which groups are catered for and which groups are not."

The panel, which met on Wednesday last week, conducts investigations into important local issues and Mrs Oborski said next month's investigation would need to see members "get your glad rags on".

Pub landlords welcomed the idea but said panel members had a major task ahead of them, with the fear of crime the most important issue to tackle.

Dave Hipkiss of the Boar's Head Taphouse, in Worcester Street, said: "The only way they are going to get more people in is to make Kidderminster safer and get rid of the violent image.

"For instance, I have a lot of business people who drink here at lunchtime but say they wouldn't come here at night."

An alcohol-free zone and CCTV cameras would help bring in more people, added Mr Hipkiss, who joined calls to fill in the subway at the bottom of Comberton Hill.

He added that council plans to renovate Worcester Street had to also gather pace. "We have been left out on a limb down here," he said.

Richard Burgess, of the Red Man in Blackwell Street, said: "Fear of crime is one of the biggest problems at night. The town needs better CCTV coverage, lighting and perhaps a minimum pricing policy for drinks to discourage binge drinking."

Peter Picken, of the Kidderminster Town Centre Partnership, agreed drunken behaviour put people off.

He added: "We do not have the benefit that large cities have with all-night public transport.

"Also, the behaviour of some people when they leave licensed premises is appalling and needs to be addressed."