Police say they will actively enforce the drinking ban

At a meeting on Wednesday, councillors in East Dorset will respond to Verwood residents' complaints by imposing a drinking ban in the town centre.

Already one of the town's car parks has had to be shut overnight because of problems with gangs of youths.

Councillors say they will review the ban after six months and it could be extended to cover outlying roads.

�500 fine

The Council's head of community services Neil Farmer told the BBC: "I think you have to balance the rights of people to do as they wish with the impact this has on the wider community.

"We want to reduce the amount of anti-social behaviour that exists and we want to educate people that their behaviour - particularly when it involves alcohol in a public place - has an impact on other people and they need to be aware of their actions."

Dorset police say they are able to enforce the ban, in the first instance by confiscating alcohol, and subsequently with a �40 fixed penalty notice.

Repeat offenders could face a court appearance and a maximum �500 fine.