Drinkers accused of fighting or anti-social behaviour outside bars and pubs could be banned from all local licensed premises.

Pubwatch groups, with help from Essex Police, are introducing the hardline scheme across the county with the message "behave or be banned".

Currently if someone commits an offence outside a pub or club there is no legislation to prevent that person going into other licensed premises but the licensee can, at their discretion, refuse to serve them.

Under the new scheme, someone charged with a drink-related offence or issued with a court exclusion order after conviction will immediately receive an interim banning order.

Their details will be circulated to all the pubs and clubs in the local Pubwatch scheme which will decide if the ban should be upheld. A full banning notice can be issued for between three months to one year.

A photograph provided by police will be circulated for the information of staff and not for public display.

Richard Perry, member of Southend Pubwatch and owner of the Royal Hotel said: "I think this is an excellent idea. It will put pressure on people to behave. I think it will be enforceable - some of the doormen at the clubs do know who the troublemakers are and would recognise them."