Police promised a "softly-softly" approach for today's start of ban on street boozing in Brighton and Hove.

They vowed not to prosecute offenders for the first four weeks and, instead, offer them advice and education.

But the amnesty will end on September 8 and anyone caught street drinking and displaying antisocial behaviour could be taken to court to face maximum £500 fines.

Inspector Paul Smith, of the city police, said: "It would be wrong for us to enforce the new ban straight away. We need to give people time to get used to it."

Notices were being put up round the city warning of the ban which was approved by Brighton and Hove City Council last month.

The Crime and Disorder Act gives local authorities power to designate areas where street drinking is outlawed.

City councillors decided it was too confusing to allow drinking on some streets and not others and it would simply push the problem around. They decided to make the ban city-wide.

Mr Smith said police would be working closely with the city's rough sleepers street service team and joint patrols would be mounted from today, concentrating on known hot spots including Norfolk Square, London Road, the Old Steine and St James's Street.

Mr Smith said: "Our first aim is to ensure everyone knows about the ban and to advise people about services they can take advantage of to help them."

He stressed the ban did not apply to people behaving themselves such as those enjoying glasses of wine at a picnic.

"This is all about alcohol-related antisocial behaviour. It is now an offence to drink in public and act in an antisocial way."

A trial ban in St James's Street, Brighton, has had some success but traders have complained there have not been enough police around to ensure proper enforcement.

Mr Smith said a team comprising a sergeant and eight PCs, plus five community support officers, would be working full time to police the new ban.

Officers on the St James's Street area have been enforcing the pilot scheme by taking cans and bottles from drinkers and pouring the booze down drains.

Mr Smith warned: "Anyone refusing to hand over drink to an officer will also be committing an offence."

He said the ban would be no panacea and that alcohol problems were not solved by laws alone but he said: "I am confident this will be an effective tool.

"There is a lot of legislation that already exists but most of the laws fall short of the kind of drink-related anti-social behaviour police come into contact on a daily basis.

"The ban is not a draconian measure but one thought through carefully by the council, drug agencies, health trusts and other supporting agencies.

"I believe it will help bring confidence back to people who have feared walking certain streets in the city."