NEW laws banning the drinking of alcohol in four areas of Amesbury will only work if the town's police officers enforce them, councillors warned last week.

No drinking zones are being brought in within the next few weeks in a bid to reduce anti-social behaviour, vandalism and violent behaviour.

But Cllr Judy Greville told councillors on Salisbury district council's northern area committee that she was worried that there "is not the policing capability to enforce it."

Mrs Greville said she was relying on experiences in her own village of Durrington and said: "I really hope there will be the relevant back-up from the police because if not, the alcohol ban will not succeed."

Councillors gave the go-ahead for the new laws, to be introduced on May 1, providing the statutory four-week public consultation period - starting on April 10 - does not raise objections.

Signs will be erected in the four zones informing the public that drinking alcohol in public areas is forbidden.

The four areas will be Holders Road sports field, the town centre including Smithfield Street, around the library, the town centre and the central car park.

Also included are the recreation ground, cemetery and Recreation Road and in the Boscombe Down area, Jaggard View, the area around the Spar Shop, Boscombe Down Road and the playing field adjacent to Harvard Way.