Bylaws banning street drinking cannot be enforced because warning signs have not yet been made.

The signs, which will alert people to the newly created alcohol-free zone in Brighton and Hove, are expected to be put up in the week.

Until then, the bylaws, which have already been put in place to tackle on-street drinking, cannot be enforced.

Brighton and Hove City Council had thought the signs would be ready yesterday.

A spokesman said: "We feel it would be unfair to wield the new powers until the signs were up and people aware of the regulations."

The council agreed to introduce the bylaw earlier this year and the Home Office was quick to approve it.

The alcohol-free zone will ban people from drinking on the street, except in licensed premises and restaurants which have permitted seating areas outside properties.

The area includes most of Brighton centre and Kemp Town. Boundaries are from the seafront, not including the beach, to Edward Street and Eastern Road, including the Royal Sussex County Hospital, and Eaton Place to the Old Steine and the Royal Pavilion.

The laws will allow police to confiscate bottles and cans from drinkers but do not give them the power to arrest people for drinking.

However, defiant drinkers can be arrested under additional national laws, brought in under the criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, which came into effect on September 1.

These enable police to arrest individuals who refuse to stop drinking or hand over alcohol in specified areas.

Deputy council leader and ward councillor Jackie Lythell, who represents Queen's Park, said: "Few things attract more complaints than street drinking.

We're talking about very drunk people lying in the street, generally behaving in an anti-social way.

"We have facilities to help drinkers with chaotic life-styles and will be actively encouraging their use."

The council runs a centre in the Old Steine which helps street drinkers.