The local council in the staunchly Protestant village of Urk, east of Amsterdam, wants to ban the consumption and possession of soft drugs in public places, news agency ANP reports.

The council is unanimous in its backing for the ban. On a national level, private individuals can have up to five grammes of marijuana or hashish without facing prosecution.
The move means youngsters in Urk caught with soft drugs face a fine. The council will take a formal vote on the plan on March 3.