Half a dozen troublemakers will no longer be allowed into nearly 40 of Winchester's pubs and nightspots.

They have been banned as part of a new scheme by Winchester Pubwatch, in collaboration with the police, in a bid to stamp out antisocial behaviour.

The move means that the names and photographs of those barred will be circulated to licensees and their staff at all 39 Pubwatch premises.

Should they try to breach the ban and are recognised, they will be told to leave. If they fail to comply, the police will be able to offer support to enforce the ban.

The six, whose names the police are not disclosing to the media, are described as persistent offenders who have been charged or cautioned in relation to their behaviour at one or more of the pubs.

PC Geoff Bird, based at North Walls, said: "The barring procedure has always been in place, but this is the first time it has been enforced.

"Both the police and licensees are determined to stamp out night-time disorder. The six bans are the first to be implemented and anyone involved in crime or persistent antisocial behaviour can expect to become subject to a ban under the scheme."

The bans come months after Insp Steve France-Sargeant vowed to keep up the pressure on landlords and warned them to be aware of their obligations not to serve people who have already consumed too much alcohol.

As part of that campaign, anyone arrested for any reason, who is clearly drunk, is asked where they obtained their last few drinks. This, together with medical evidence, could lead to a prosecution brought against licensees.

PC Bird said the latest scheme followed the format of Shopwatch, which has been running successfully for the last five years.

If a member of Pubwatch identifies someone they wish to ban, and if they fit the police criteria, the rest of the members vote at a monthly meeting.

PC Bird said if an individual continues to flout the ban, the police will be able to apply for an Asbo (an Anti-Social Behaviour Order) through the courts.

But Mr Bird, currently in charge of city-centre policing, said he hoped the bans would act as a deterrent rather than lead to increasing numbers of people barred. "We don't want hundreds of people banned-we'd rather have no-one banned."

Winchester licensee, Rachel Sinker, at the Bakers Arms, a member of the Pubwatch scheme, said: "I think it's very good because we are all making a stand together against these troublemakers that are causing trouble for landlords and customers."

MP, Mark Oaten, who held a meeting with city licensees to discuss the problems, said he applauded the plan, but other measures were needed to quell individual's drinking habits, such as the amount of drinks served during 'happy hours'.

"I think it's sensible, but we need policies in place to stop people being banned in the first place."