Booze ban is simply the best

Dudley Council's licensing and legal services team's work on alcohol licensing has been entered into the Parliamentary Year Book.

The entry refers to measures introduced in the borough including bans on the consumption of alcohol in public places in Halesowen, Stourbridge and Dudley town centres.

It also cover the pilot scheme to close Stourbridge High Street to all vehicles except hackney carriage and emergency vehicles between midnight and 4am, with a designated area for private hire vehicles to collect customers.

The entry said early indications showed risks to public safety had been reduced and feedback to the public, local residents and licensed premises had been positive.

Philip Tart, assistant director for legal and democratic services in Dudley, said: "We are very pleased our work on liquor licensing and encouraging responsible drinking is being used as an example of best practice.

"The alcohol bans in town centres have been welcomed while the two measures we introduced in Stourbridge have also been supported."

There was also a mention for Aquarius, a West Midlands charity that provides a range of support and interventions.