A task force has been set up to deal with drunken louts after tour firms complained they could drive visitors away from Lincoln.

The task force will tackle vandals, litter bugs, noisy gangs and young men who urinate in the streets.

A rise in the number of clubs and bars opening in the city have been blamed for the increase in lewd and anti-social behaviour.

The task force will draw together the police, the city council, tourist agencies and bar and club owners.

Brayford Waterfront is popular with revellers

It follows concerns by tourism firms that people do not want to go to Lincoln.

The manager of the Theatre Royal also warned recently that it may have to close if the problem was not tackled.

Amanda Batham, the city's tourism officer, said: "I think with the growth and development that has happened in the city this problem has also grown.

"I really don't want visitors who come to our city and experience people being drunk at night, people throwing up - it just doesn't give a very good impression.

"I think that with this task force we can actually start to sort out the issue and take action and not just have a talking shop or a working group."

Action could include putting up portable toilets in popular areas, talking to club and bar owners and more police action against vandals.