WINCHESTER police have clamped down on public sale of alcohol at this week's Hat Fair, ending years of tradition.

They have objected to licences to sell alcohol at two parks, Orams Arbour and Abbey Gardens, during the popular outdoor event which attracts thousands of visitors.

The new stance comes just weeks after Winchester's alcohol exclusion zone was extended across the whole of the city.

However, it also comes in the wake of reassurances that the new zone would not be used to curb responsible drinking.

Sandra Tuddenham, community safety officer, had previously told the Daily Echo that the exclusion zone would not affect people drinking responsibly and only be targeted at problem drinkers causing a nuisance.

A city council licensing sub-committee had been due to consider the application for a temporary event licence at Orams Arbour on Sunday and Abbey Gardens on Saturday.

Withdrawn In the light of police objections the applications had been withdrawn, said Hat Fair director Sian Thomas.

Winchester police have objected to the sale of alcohol saying it would cause confusion and potential disorder over the new alcohol exclusion zone.

This year's Hat Fair is the first time it has taken place while any alcohol exclusion zone has been operating.

A small ban zone covering just the city centre was introduced in July 2006.

Sgt Karen Fisher, of North Walls station, said about Orams' Arbour: "It will reignite the possibility of alcohol-related disorder, bring the location to the attention of drinkers and cause confusion in the future. . . The police are not aware of any toileting facilities and public urinating, which is disorderly and antisocial, may be an issue.

Confusion' "The police have to manage alcohol-related disorder all year round; changes in the rules for a few hours a year can cause confusion and difficulties in enforcement for months, not just on the day in question."

Alcohol has been sold at Orams Arbour and Abbey Gardens in the past, with few, if any, problems before the zone was introduced.

Ms Thomas said: "It's a shame. I'm sad that we have not got a bar. But we made the application late in the day."

She said she hoped for 2008 to have earlier discussions with the police to resolve the issue.

It was unclear whether the police would permit any drinking of alcohol at all in the alcohol exclusion zone during the Hat Fair.