Police have introduced a range of measures to tackle binge-drinking

Staffordshire Police say the number of people binge drinking in Newcastle-under-Lyme has increased, along with associated violence and drink-driving.

At weekends up to 20,000 people go out in the town, and some nights there may only be 10 police officers on duty.

But Mike Fellow, from Brassingtons bar in the town, says not everyone who drinks is out to cause trouble.

'Blanket bans'

"If you get a large crowd of people you are going to get some troublemakers but you can't tar everyone with the same brush," he told BBC Radio Stoke

"The majority of people are nice ordinary people who are out having a good time.

"After all, we don't all want to go home and have a cup of cocoa and be in bed by 11pm - some of us want to have a good time."

Ch Supt Steve Loxley, based in the town, said there was a number of schemes in the area aimed at tackling the problem.

"There is a range of work going on with the Crime Reduction Partnership such as automatic blanket bans for people who are banned from one bar.

"We also have radio link- ups between the bars so licensees are aware of any trouble-makers in the area, as well as a proper registration scheme for doormen.