Leeds City Council is proposing the ban, which is supported by police and licensees, in a bid to stamp out drunken behaviour in the market town.

If approved, the ban will be the first to be imposed by the council outside Leeds city centre.

Councillors say alcohol problems in Wetherby are increased by it being a convenient stopping place for coach parties using the nearby A1.

Residents' views

"People in Wetherby have a right to be protected from drunken misbehaviour," said Mark Harris, the deputy leader of Leeds City Council.

"I would urge residents to let the council know whether they think this would improve things in the town."

Most anti-social behaviour in Wetherby occurs on Friday and Saturday nights and is often caused by gangs of drinkers moving between the 10 pubs crowded in a small area of the town centre.

Offenders could be given on-the-spot fines of �40.