But the area of the ban is likely to be greatly expanded, as a result of a decision at Tuesday's meeting of Angus Licensing Board.

And the proposed new area would be around double that of the present ban.

There have in the past been numerous complaints about open-air drinking at the harbour, and the problems that that has caused. Now, however, the entire harbour area is included in the area of prohibition.

If approved, the new boundary line would run roughly from the shore at the entrance to Victoria Park, taking in all of the harbour and foreshore, across to East Mary Street, up West Port and Keptie Street, along Lochlands Street, down Guthrie Port and up Montrose Road, along Leonard Street, Barber's Croft and Hill Road and back to the foreshore.

The proposals will now go out for public consultation.

And when that has been done, the formal proposal will have to be put before Angus Council, as only the full council has power to agree to make bye-laws.

The bye-laws also have to be submitted to the Scottish Government for approval and consultees include the Procurator Fiscal and Tayside Police.

The Board's chairman, Councillor Jim Millar, explained to the Herald that the extended ban is not designed to deal with under-age drinking, because that comes under different legislation.

And in answer to a question about a boat-owner in the marina having a can of beer on deck, he said that in his opinion that would not be affected by the amended bye-law, because it was a private place rather than a public one.

What do you think?

E-mail us on arbroath.herald@jnscotland.co.uk or write to us at Letters, Arbroath Herald, 21 Market Place, Arbroath, DD11 1HR.

Also, cast your vote on the issue to the right of this story.