A CAMPAIGN to stamp out disorderly behaviour in Skipton streets is being pioneered by the town's problem solving group.

Police member Insp Tad Nowakowski is pushing to extend the Skipton Licensees Association's Pub Watch scheme, which bans anyone causing trouble in the town's pubs from all licensed premises.

But he wants the ban to also include anyone who is violent or abusive to a taxi driver, to members of the emergency services or to doormen.

The campaign would be entitled STAND - Skipton Town Against Night-time Disorder.

"I don't want any idiots in the town centre," said Inspector Nowakowski.

The idea was muted at a recent meeting of the Skipton Multi-Agency Problem Solving (MAPS) group when Steve Birch, manager of Bliss, spoke about a similar scheme running in Burnley. He said it had reduced the amount of disorderly behaviour there.

Mr Birch asked whether it was possible to investigate running a similar scheme in Skipton.

Insp Nowakowski held a meeting to gauge the level of support from the town's licensees and said that everyone who attended agreed in principle.

"We don't want anti-social behaviour in our town. We want people to be able to go out and have a good time," he added.

All those who are banned from the pubs could have their photographs on show in the premises so that they cannot sneak in without being noticed.

The MAPS group has already looked at ways to get funding for the publicity and launch of STAND and Skipton police officers have visited Burnley to see how its scheme works.

It is hoped that STAND could be up and running by Easter.