MAIDSTONE council is drawing up plans to introduce alcohol-free zones in the county town.

An order detailing which areas will be covered is expected to be published shortly with a view to the ban coming into force this summer.

The borough council is working on the plans in conjunction with Maidstone Town Centre Management and Maidstone and Malling Police.

Maidstone council spokesman, Roger Adley, said: "We are looking to include open spaces, parks and gardens as well as streets. It will be focussed on the Maidstone town centre area."

Police officers will have the power to confiscate alcohol and move people on with advice possibly being given on where street drinkers can seek help.

Maidstone Town Centre manager Bill Moss welcomed the proposed scheme. He stressed: "I am not in favour of a blanket ban but if it is focussed solely on street drinking then it is a first class idea and I support it.

"We have got to recognise, however, that this is a society problem and we must do everything we can to steer these unfortunate people in the right direction."