A NEW Public Space Protection Order has been agreed for Wellington town centre.

Cllr Jane Warmington, executive councillor for community leadership at Taunton Deane Borough Council, agreed to enact the order to replace the previous order which expires in October.

The public were asked in December to express their views on the matter, along with Wellington Town Council and Avon and Somerset Police.

Cllr Warmington decided the initiative is still needed in the town where there are currently a series of no-drinking bans.

The new order will cover

intoxicating substances, which includes alcohol and psychoactive drugs, sometimes known as legal highs.

Anyone in breach of the order will be committing a criminal offence and could receive a fixed penalty notice or face a fine in court.

Police and council enforcement officers would have the power to demand the surrender of the intoxicating substances.