A flagship scheme to crack down on teenage troublemakers has flopped in Brighton and Hove, according to Government figures.

Only one parenting order - a measure to tackle bad behaviour in schools - was issued in the city in its first full year. In contrast, some areas issued more than 20 orders while Wigan used the measure more than 100 times.

An order can be issued when a child has been convicted of a criminal offence, been given a separate civil order or failed to comply with an order to attend school.

East Sussex issued 16 parenting orders, while West Sussex issued ten.

Parenting orders were introduced in July 2000. They last up to 12 months and force parents to attend weekly counselling or guidance sessions for up to three months.

Nigel Lewis, manager of the youth offending team at the city council, said the scheme was not a failure and said they had been successful in using other methods to help parents.

He said: "We have been very successful working with parents on a voluntary basis. Last year we worked with 63 parents and 50 successfully completed the programmes."

As well as helping parents, children may be required to attend a homework club, avoid contact with disruptive children, avoid certain areas, stay home at night or attend anger-management courses.