A BOLTON alcohol abuse expert has spoken of his fears of drink-fuelled Millennium Eve celebrations. And Jon Royle, manager of Bolton's Community Alcohol Service, is worried that the Year 2000 celebrations will see youngsters in the town turn to booze.

His warnings come just nine months after the BEN revealed children as young as 14 were turning to the Community Alcohol Service to help them beat their addiction to drink.

Last night Mr Royle said: "We're concerned about the possibility of many people drinking large amounts of alcohol and the risks there then might be in Bolton.

"You only have to go through the town on a Saturday night to see what kind of trouble there can be.

"We certainly think people would be better off staying at home. Some people start drinking a lot of alcohol and become aggresive."

And he forecast a busy night for hospital staff at the town's casualty department, treating New Year's Eve drunks.

Inducement

He added: "There's going to be more of an inducement for young people to drink more. Alcohol will be more widely available to them and people show a greater tolerance towards them.

"I would expect to see more young people having too much to drink and getting into potentially dangerous situations or having accidents, or overdosing on alcohol.

"We're not anti-alcohol or kill-joys. My message would be to just be sensible and not take too many risks."

Bolton police chiefs are also urging New Year's Eve revellers to enjoy the party atmosphere but to "act responsibly" or risk the consequences.

And they warned they would continue to clampdown on partygoers who flout a bye-law forbidding alcohol to be drunk in public on Bolton's streets.

Local police officers, reinforced by members of the Greater Manchester Police Tactical Aid Group and mounted officers will be on duty in the town centre itself.

A section of Victoria Square will be cordoned off and police will ensure the by-law banning drinking on the streets is rigorously enforced.

Superintendent David Chetwynd said: "People need to recognise the need to follow this bye-law.

"We have already had a number of incidents in which people have been injured by broken glass left in the street."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.