RESIDENTS are keeping the pressure on councillors to impose an alcohol ban at two Winsford parks which have become anti-social behaviour hotspots.

Calls have been made to make Over and Wharton recreation grounds alcohol free zones following a number of high profile incidents.

Vale Royal Borough Council has given residents an update and confirmed that the areas do suffer from anti-social behaviour.

In a statement to the Winsford Residents' Federation, a council spokesman said: "The evidence from the police shows a considerable number of incidents in the areas surrounding both recreation grounds during a six-month period.

"But it cannot be clear as to how many of these incidents took place on the parks or were drink related."

Mike Kennedy, association chairman, is still hopeful the alcohol ban will be imposed.

He said: "Residents are demanding we catch up with other areas and introduce designated orders on the two parks regarding no alcohol.

"Smashed beer bottles and young children playing do not mix.

"It is about time everything possible was done to rid our parks and even our streets from this anti-social alcohol problem.

"Let us be forward thinking and not live in the dark ages. I have visited a park in Chester and one in Crewe recently and both have No Alcohol fine signs, so why not Winsford because there is certainly a need?"

Police have carried out a survey of crime and anti-social behaviour in the two parks and the council is now set to make a decision on whether or not to impose an alcohol ban.

The council spokesman said: "The response from residents was rather disappointing but all the information to hand is about to be submitted to the borough council's legal services department for it to judge whether there is sufficient evidence to go for a designated place order."