Christmas revellers are being barred from dozens of Yorkshire pubs to help keep the peace.

Landlords at up to 40 pubs in Wakefield are closing their doors for two hours on Friday as thousands of workers pour in to begin their celebrations.

Although drinkers who are already inside may be allowed to stay, publicans will refuse new customers.

The move comes as police in Humberside warned they are ready to use new powers to close pubs which attract trouble.

Scared shoppers

Sergeant Phil Evans, from West Yorkshire Police, told BBC News Online: "People drink to excess, and new revellers come out and mix with those who are already inebriated, leading to assaults and public disorder.

"In Wakefield, people who are out shopping mix with office workers and local factory workers, and are intimidated by rowdy drinkers.

"The year before last we had a lot of problems and licensed premises were damaged.

"Publicans can now lock the doors to allow regular drinkers to stay, and ask anyone who they anticipate there may be problems with to leave.

'Absolutely hammered'

"We will have 125 extra officers in the town centre to assist them."

The pubs will close between 1700 GMT and 1900 GMT.

Lynne Abson, the landlady of the Exchange, one of the pubs in Wakefield which is closing, told BBC News Online: "It gets rid of the drinkers who are absolutely hammered - some of them start at lunchtime.

"It makes it a lot better for people who are coming out in the evening and it gives us a chance to tidy up.

"People who are turned away make their way home instead of staying straight through."

Violence returned

Meanwhile in Hull city centre, police intend to enforce their new powers under the Police and Criminal Justice Act 2001, which gives them the option of closing premises down.

Steve Page, press officer for Humberside Police told BBC News Online: "For ten years we put restriction orders on Hull's pubs to close for two hours.

"Two years ago the restriction orders were lifted and the violence returned."

"This year we have warned people to behave themselves because the police can close licensed premises where there is disorderly conduct."