Drunken trouble-makers are being driven off the streets of Bradford and district.

One of Britain's first pilot schemes to eliminate drink-related trouble - using new laws to create no-go areas for yobs in Bradford city centre - has been hailed a big success.

Now the scheme is to be extended to other parts of the district, with Bingley the first target. It has been chosen as the next place in the district where streets are to be made alcohol free, enabling police to ask people to stop drinking and leave.

If they refuse, drinkers may be arrested and fined up to £500.

Bradford Council and the police say the system has proved an effective weapon in tackling the problems in Bradford.

The Council is using the new Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, giving it the power to introduce special designation orders in certain areas.

The orders do not make it an offence to drink alcohol in the streets, but give police the power to deal with any nuisance caused a result.

Chief inspector David Young, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "The initial scheme is a pilot which is working extremely well and the feedback we are receiving from the community and the commercial sector, is that it has been very effective in addressing the issues associated with street crime.

"This is a partnership-based approach and we have been in further discussions with the Council on identifying new areas."

Councillor Eaton - who spearheaded last year's initiative because of her concern over problems in parts of the city - said: "I will listen to any concerns which people have in other areas and would hope this could be extended even further, depending on resources.

"It does seem to have helped the city centre and there is nothing to suggest that it has simply moved people to other areas. We want people to feel comfortable when they are in this district and not harassed by antisocial trouble makers."

She said areas were only accepted for designation when there was concrete statistical evidence that there were problems and the system could be beneficial.

"We have consulted people in Bingley and the whole situation has been looked at carefully."

The Council wants to designate a wide town centre area bounded by Main Street, Dryden Street, Market Street, Queen Street, Airedale Street, Myrtle Place, Ferncliffe Road (from Leonard Street), Chapel Walk, Midland Hill, parts of Waterloo Road, Canon Street, York Crescent, Portland Place, Bingley railway station platform and forecourt.

The designation would not include licensed premises in the area, however.

People have 27 days to make representations before the orders are confirmed.

Today, Ilene Sinclair, a member of Bingley Town Centre Partnership, welcomed the move.

"There are a lot of pubs per square inch in Bingley and you get vandalism and windows smashed. I'm sure shopkeepers would welcome this because their insurance premiums must be going up. It is a very good idea."

John Newsham, landlord of the Ferrands Inn off Main Street, said he was not aware of any serious problems but any system to get rid of trouble makers would be good for trade.

The map showing the proposed designations can be seen at City Hall between 8.15am and 5.15pm Monday to Thursday and 8.15am and 4.45pm on Friday.

People wanting to make representations can write to Gerry Danby, director of legal and democratic services at City Hall, Bradford, BD1 1HY.