PLANS to outlaw alcohol drinking on Upton-upon-Severn's streets have been tabled to stamp out late-night disorder.

But town councillors are united in opposing the ban, saying it would spoil the pleasure of summer visitors enjoying quiet drinks on the riverside.

The town is famous for its festivals.

Throughout the summer, local pubs play host to folk, jazz and blues fans who enjoy stalls, music, dancing, entertainment and drinks in the open air.

But concerns over late-night disturbances this summer have led Sgt Robert Werner-de-Sondberg to suggest a crackdown on street trading and a restriction on alcohol consumption in the town centre.

His letter to Nigel Snape, senior solicitor for Malvern Hills District Council, was read out by the Mayor, Coun Eric White, at this week's Upton Town Council meeting.

Sgt Werner-de-Sondberg said much of the disorder was alcohol-related and he believed a ban on drinking in the street, with an exemption for the town festivals, was one solution.

He also recommended tightening the controls on street traders to prevent trading after midnight, as he believed a mobile food van was a focus for the rowdy drinkers.

"I can't see how this would be of any benefit whatsoever," said Coun Roger Barker.

"If we had a police presence in the first place, there wouldn't be a problem."

Coun John Thompson pointed out that visitors enjoying a drink with a picnic would be breaking the law if a ban were imposed.

"We see a proliferation of signs around Upton that are very unwelcoming," he said.

"The police have enough powers, they just don't exercise them. There is no need for any more."

And Coun Tina Marshall said a blanket ban would be Draconian, when most of the problems occurring on the street were the result of under-age drinking, which the police should be dealing with.

It was agreed that there should be no ban on alcohol consumption, but a tighter control on late-night street trading would be welcome.