Troublemakers who are charged or cautioned for violence are to be banned from pubs to counter crime in a town.

Police in Bexhill yesterday launched Barwatch, which is aimed at banning people bent on causing trouble in pubs.

A total of 14 two-way radios have been issued to Barwatch members to enable them to report flare-ups to police and monitor troublemakers.

The scheme has been set up by the Bexhill and Rother Primary Care Trust and Sussex Police but is being entirely funded by licensees themselves.

At yesterday's launch at the York Hotel in London Road, Bexhill, Barwatch chairman Matt Dargan said: "We will have zero tolerance towards violent behaviour.

"This is a preventative measure to stop the kind of problems developing which we hear about in other towns."

Bexhill Mayor, Stuart Earl, said: "Bexhill is a lovely place to live and we want to maintain it. Barwatch is part of that."

A Barwatch scheme was launched in Hastings last November and now has 64 members, leading to 45 people being served with banning orders.

Hastings Barwatch chairman, Gina Sexton, said: "This is a scheme for licensees, by licensees and takes a lot of hard work.

"The police in Hastings have given us a lot of support and I am sure it will be the same here.

"Bexhill needs this to protect and improve its night-time economy."

Cathie Wolfe, licensing officer for Sussex Police's Hastings and Rother division said: "The Hastings Barwatch has been very successful and has been credited with playing a major part in the recent improved crime figures.

"I'm confident the Bexhill scheme will have similar success and will send a message to those intent on causing trouble that their behaviour will not be tolerated in Bexhill.

"We are sure membership will grow as other licensees realise how effective Barwatch is and it will ensure those barred under the Hastings Barwatch do not find a safe haven in Bexhill."