DRUNKEN louts convicted of booze-related offences in Southampton face a new push to ban them from entering any pub or off-licence in the city.

Southampton has became one of 25 areas across the country in which courts have been granted wider powers by the Government to impose Drinking Banning Orders (DBOs) on anyone found guilty of an offence committed under the influence of alcohol.

The powers are aimed at tackling persistent offenders of drunken crime and nuisance behaviour.

Magistrates or judges can now impose the orders on convicted drunks whenever they see fit, and must consider using them in all cases where offenders were under the influence of alcohol when they committed their offences.

Communities secretary and Labour Itchen MP John Denham said: “It gives the force of law to schemes that pubs and clubs have been running on a voluntary basis.

“It will be welcomed in the city by everyone who wants it to be a safe place on a night out without it being ruined by a drunken yob.”

Tory candidate Royston Smith, who is the city council’s safer communities boss, also welcomed the move.

He said: “If we don’t get tough these louts will continue to cause trouble.”

Lib Dem candidate David Goodall said: “I’ve got nothing against these in principle. It’s definitely worth trying to see if it has an effect.”

Until recently the orders could be imposed only where local authorities and police had made formal applications.

Offenders who breach a DBO are liable to a fine of up to £2,500.