Street drinkers could be forced out of Worthing under a new get-tough policy to clear up the town's streets.

Worthing Borough Council wants to crack down on drunks and dossers following dozens of complaints from town centre traders and residents.

The council aims to invoke powers under the 2001 Criminal Justice and Police Act to form an exclusion zone.

Drunks swigging from bottles and cans are a common sight in blackspots such as Liverpool Gardens, Crescent Road, Splash Point and North Street.

During the summer several set up camp under the pier, complete with a stolen keg of beer, and others permanently live in beach shelters opposite Thorn Road and West Buildings, making them a no-go area for the public.

The proposed exclusion zone would be bounded by Heene Road to the west, the railway line to the north, Homefield, Farncombe and Merton roads to the east, and the sea to the south.

Areas placed out of bounds include all streets, parks, open spaces, car parks, the seafront, the beach, pedestrian precincts and alleyways.

Cliff Harrison, the council's head of technical services, said he had received dozens of letters and emails supporting plans for a crackdown.

He is collating the responses before submitting a report to councillors on December 16, with an order likely to come into force in April 2003.

There was concern the crackdown would simply force drunks to the suburbs but Mr Harrison said the zone could be extended in the future.

Tony Clarke, the council's director of planning and environmental services, said: "If the order is made, it will be possible for a police officer who reasonably believes a person is, has or is about to consume intoxicating liquor in a designated place to require that person to stop drinking and surrender any opened containers of alcohol.

"This does not mean drinking alcohol in public areas in the designated zone will become illegal. However, refusal to comply with a police officer's request to surrender open containers will become an arrestable offence with the possibility of prosecution."

The council stressed people drinking within the grounds of licensed premises would not be affected and it is unlikely a family enjoying a glass of wine on the beach during the summer would be apprehended.

Mr Clarke said: "The council would welcome the views of the public as to whether or not an order should be made."