A three hour alcohol awareness course is being offered as an alternative to a fine for people caught being drunk and disorderly.

Rather than face a £90 fine from a penalty notice, the course, which carries a £45 fee, will aim to educate people about the dangers of alcohol.

In 2012/13, Cambs Police issued 294 penalty notices for alcohol-related disorder.

The Alcohol Diversion Scheme has been set with funding from Cambridgeshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Sir Graham Bright as part of his commitment to tackle alcohol-related incidents in the county.

He said: “I am not against people enjoying themselves responsibly and safely, but drinking so much that you put yourself or others at risk of harm and become a drain on services, and the public purse which funds them, is no fun for anybody.

“The diversion scheme will help people understand the harm that excessive drinking can have on them, and people nearby, and encourage them to change their behaviour in the future.

“This should in turn reduce the number of alcohol-related incidents in our city and town centres which is good news for everyone.”