A ban to stop drinking on the streets of Eastbourne will come into force next week.

From Monday, police will have powers to remove alcohol from anyone seen drinking in Eastbourne town centre, the seafront and parts of Old Town.

Signs warning people they are in a no-drinking zone, were being put up across the town this week.

The ban was instigated by the Eastbourne Crime Reduction Partnership, made up of representatives from Eastbourne Borough Council, Eastbourne Police and East Sussex County Council.

Borough commander of Eastbourne Police Chief Inspector Martin Stevens said: "This is part of a crime reduction jigsaw that aims to reduce violent crimes and anti-social behaviour in the town.

"Keeping Eastbourne a safe place is at the forefront of our policing style and this piece of legislation can only assist in that goal."

More than 90 per cent of people who responded to a council questionnaire on the scheme were in favour of the ban.

Borough council Cabinet spokesman for community safety, councillor Bert Leggett, said: "Many people will be delighted this has at last come about.

"It has taken a long time and is largely the work of the Crime Reduction Partnership. Working together can bring results. Passing a law is one thing, now it is up to us to make it work."

Under the ban police will have the power to:

Ask anyone drinking in public areas to stop.

Take away open containers of alcohol.

Dispose of open containers of alcohol.

Arrest anyone refusing to co-operate.