Drinking zone 'has improved park'

A designated area for alcoholics in a park has stopped other visitors feeling intimidated and even led to some drinkers getting help, a council says.

Lambeth Council said up to 20 people would gather at the Herne Hill entrance to Brockwell Park, south London.

It says moving drinkers to a quiet area away from the entrance is better than banning them, as drug and alcohol workers can locate them to offer help.

But the council denied the area will encourage more drinkers to visit.

Darren Saunders of Lambeth Council told BBC News: "It's some distance away from the path and it's some distance away from the entrance to Brockwell Park.

"It's behind some walls, behind some trees and it's a dedicated quiet area.

"It's even got its own wheelie bin just in case they need to put the bottles in and it's a much better area than having them congregating slap bang outside the gate to one of Lambeth's showcase parks."