Banbury's deputy mayor has called for pubs to be allowed to stay open round-the-clock - as the town's traders prepare to discuss ways of tackling alcohol-related violence and vandalism.

Keith Strangwood said he thought a change in licensing laws to allow pubs to serve alcohol 24 hours a day would stop people binge drinking and help to stamp out "yob culture".

He said he did not think Banbury suffered any more problems than other towns, but Mr Strangwood, town councillor for the Ruscote ward, said action was needed to ensure the situation did not escalate.

He said: "The problem is a mix between drink and yob culture. I think the binge culture is down to drinking hours, with people going out and drinking as much as possible in short spaces of time.

"It is putting a strain on police resources and I support 24-hour opening to take away this emphasis on getting blind drunk."

Mr Strangwood spoke out a week before traders meet representatives of the town council, Thames Valley Police, Cherwell District Council and Banbury MP Tony Baldry to discuss violence in the town centre.

The Question Time-style meeting, at the Banbury House Hotel, in Oxford Road, next Thursday, December 2, has been organised by Banbury and District Chamber of Commerce.