Almost 2,000 people have signed a petition calling for a ban on street drinking in Wisbech.

It claims parts of the town have become so blighted by anti-social drunks that people avoid them.

The petition calls for 'an absolute zero tolerance policy to drunk and disorderly behaviour, a drinking ban supported by a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) or similar legislation, across the whole town, fines, ASBO's or similar banning orders for repeat offenders'.

It is also demanding a review of the alcohol licenses currently active within the town, including a number of takeaway outlets reportedly selling alcohol until 3am, along with a commitment from police and crime commissioner Jason Ablewhite and MP Steve Barclay to 'adequately fight to resource Wisbech appropriately to cope with all measures'.

The petition adds: 'A large number of citizens have expressed they are frightened to use certain hot spots in the town, such as Tillery Park and St Peters Gardens and some claim to avoid the town centre all together.

'There is no point continuing with further economic development of the town if this, one of its core social problems, is not tackled head on. 'This should include support for rehabilitation and homelessness.'

The petition was launched by James Cook, from Emneth, following a debate on a post by a woman who said she felt disgusted seeing St Peters garden full of drunks - 11 in one group, four in another.

She said: 'They were drinking rum and coke, shouting and staggering about, one had passed out on the grass.

'My friend called police, a PCSO turned up on a bike, had a word with them and went, and they carried on drinking, so nothing done.

'We walked into the gardens and took the time to talk to the gardeners who do a good job of making the park lovely, what they remove from there would make you sick, it stinks of urine and other things.

'Nobody can walk their children. The place is a disgrace, police and council do something, and this town is going nowhere downhill. Wisbech was once a lovely market town.'

Another said they lived in the Crescent near the town centre and every night people were in the gardens drinking, urinating, and being noisy.

Click here for the petition