Revellers caught drinking in the streets could be dealt a hefty fine under new guidelines proposed by Haringey Council.

The plans would give police the power to charge drinkers up to £500, or even arrest them, if they are found drinking in alcohol-free zones.

Officers would also be given the power to confiscate the booze.

Critics have slammed the proposals, which they say could prevent people enjoying a drink outside in the summer for fear of being fined.

But the council insists enforcement would be discretionary and a blanket ban is not intended.

Councillor Nilgun Canver, cabinet member for enforcement and safer communities, said: "The council can make an order like this when convinced that drinking in these places causes annoyance or nuisance to the public.

"We have many instances of groups of individuals causing a nuisance while drinking in public places and we must act. Most people will not be affected by this legislation except that they should no longer have to encounter drunken behaviour when doing their shopping or taking their children to the park."

The suggested areas for banning street drinking are all in the east of the borough, including Wood Green High Road, Hornsey Park Road, Woodside, Tottenham Green, Bounds Green and Tottenham Hale.

Ron Aitken, Liberal Democrat crime and community spokesperson, criticised the proposals for targeting one side of the borough.

He said: "The perception of an east/west divide is only strengthened by this type of focus.

"There are one or two places where a street drinking ban would be desirable such as Muswell Hill Broadway, which gets very busy in the summer, and the area around Hornsey Town Hall has had problems with street drinking."

A public consultation is underway February 15.

For more information, visit haringey.gov.uk/ streetdrinking or you can write to Robert Curtis, enforcement officer, at the Enforcement Service, Technopark, Ashley Road, Tottenham, N17 9LN.