Police have been accused of getting “cold feet” over proposals to introduce no-drinking zones in Witham town centre.

Witham Town Council has been pressing for no-drinking zones to combat people drinking out of open cans in Newland Street and the town park.

But Essex Police have decided to delay a decision on the proposals until the spring because of a drop in reported problems during the winter.

Mayor Michael Lager said: “The reasons for seeking it remain completely valid and I can’t see that the costs of implementing it are very much. It is just a case of putting the signs up."

Full story in this week's Witham and Braintree Times.