BOOZERS are blighting a Worcester riverside and making a mockery of an alcohol ban, according to furious residents who have started up

a petition.

Jamie Knight, aged 32, of Comer Gardens, has had enough of empty beer bottles and cans and is concerned about the damaging impression it gives tourists.

The drinking ban only covers one side of the river and ends once people cross Sabrina Bridge to the Hylton Road side of the Severn.

Nearby homes are being asked to sign up to a campaign to get the ban extended along the other side of the river to stop life being ruined for residents and visitors.

Mr Knight, who has launched the petition, said: "I have lived here all my life and was walking back from the Elton John concert when I saw all these empty beer cans and bottles on the ground. It was disgusting.

"It's getting stupid and we've got to stand up to it because it blights the area. The problem is this alcohol-free zone only extends to one half of the riverside. Once you cross Sabrina Bridge by the Worcester News there are boxes of booze and bottles everywhere at night."

Mr Knight, who is a well-known singer in Worcester's pubs and clubs, added: "I'm getting a petition going and will go knocking on homes to get support."

Peter Richardson, who lives on Hylton Road, backed the petition.

He said: "It is a problem - we get empty cans lying on our wall at night. I think this petition will probably get a lot of support."

Judy Robbins, also of Hylton Road, said: "The mess these people leave is a disgrace. As soon as the hot weather starts, they come out.

"It's unbelievable."

The booze ban was introduced to one half of the riverside to give police powers to arrest people for drinking if they refuse to stop when asked. As the Worcester News reported last February it was then extended to St Clement's churchyard, St John's, Tallow Hill Industrial Estate and the shops in Lichfield Avenue, Ronkswood.

The petition will be handed in to the city council, who have to convince the police of a need for a ban.

Mayor Coun Ian Imray said he was in "total support" of the petition and revealed he tried to get the booze ban extended last year.

"At the time, the police said there wasn't the evidence for it," he said. "I have always said to local residents, if you see a problem on the riverside call the police. I totally support them."

A Worcester Police spokesman said: "The designation of an alcohol-free zone is dependent on the incidence of alcohol-related issues in the area. If the need is shown for the current alcohol-free zone to be extended to include that part of the river we would support it."