DRINKERS who flout a booze ban in Bolton town centre face immediate arrest in a police crackdown on crime and hooliganism.

The move follows four vicious attacks -- one on a woman who will be scarred for life -- in the centre over the last seven days.

Police are warning Bolton landlords that their licences will be withdrawn and their pubs closed if the violence continues.

They say the 'zero tolerance' crackdown has been introduced to enforce the ban on drinking on the streets of the town centre.

Licensees are being warned not to serve people who are drunk and not to allow drinkers with alcohol onto the streets.

Det Sgt Bill Crittenden said: "The violence over the last seven days is unacceptable and we believe it to be drink related.

"People should be able to go out at night without being seriously injured. What type of message does this give out to people visiting Bolton?

"We want everyone to be aware that drinking in Bolton town centre is not allowed.

"The ban on drinking alcohol has been in force since 1993 and we will now be enforcing it rigorously. We are operating a zero tolerance policy with regard to alcohol."

Det Sgt Crittenden appealed to Bolton's pub and club bosses in the town centre to play their part. "They have a responsibility to protect their customers. It is unacceptable and against the law to serve anyone who is drunk. Someone is going to die if the violence continues. Landlords should be aware that they could lose their licences and their pubs and clubs closed if they are believed to have contributed to any trouble."

A 35-year-old woman was attacked as she was walking past a pub in Nelson Square. The woman, who was on the way to meet her husband, was hit over the head with a glass as football hooligans from Wigan and Bolton clashed and her nose was badly gashed. She was taken to the facial injuries unit at Blackburn Royal Infirmary where she was still

detained today after an operation to repair her nose. Other victims included a 33-year-old man who was attacked the day after -- also in Nelson Square -- and suffered a broken cheek bone; a man stabbed in the chest after an argument and another man who suffered a fractured skull after being punched to the ground outside a Bolton pub. Licensees have blamed a small number of troublemakers for the violence.

John Jewitt, of Ye Olde Man and Scythe on Churchgate, said: "It's a pity that we cannot have people drinking out in the streets. It's down to a few idiots who cause trouble. I support what the police are trying to do but it is a shame that a small number of people can cause such destruction forcing them to take this sort of action."

Paul Hanlon, landlord at Muldoon's on Bradshawgate and a member of Bolton Licensees' Alliance, said: "We have restrictions on serving people who are very drunk and who take drinks outside. That's part of our job. Drinkers do want to take glasses on to the street when the weather's nice but we find that warning them of the £500 fine for having glass outside is usually enough to stop them."