SWINDON Council has been urged to plaster the photographs of the town's worst yobs across newspapers, leaflets, billboards and the TV.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke called on local authorities to "name and shame" yobs as he revealed record numbers of anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) have been issued by the courts.

In total, 15 ASBOs have been handed out across Wiltshire since 1999.

The figure is the lowest of any area in the country but South Swindon MP Julia Drown insisted the magistrates and council officers in the town are making the most of the powers.

She said: "I think in Swindon we may have made a slow start with ASBOs but we are now making up for it. We really are starting to use them effectively and are beginning to see the results."

Under the new Home Office guidance published yesterday, police and councils will be urged to publicise the names of adults and children as young as 10.

Local authorities already have this power but have been unwilling to use it.

However, ministers believe "naming and shaming" deters trouble-makers from stepping out of line while protecting law-abiding citizens, who can identify and report any yob breaching their ASBO.

Mr Clarke said: "Too many communities are still blighted by the mindless behaviour of a few yobs, who can ruin the quality of life for everyone.

"Many offenders think that they are untouchable and above the law. If they thought that there would be a news blackout on their actions they must now think again.

"Publicising ASBOs has been tested in the courts. Today we are making the position crystal clear your photo could be all over the local media, your local community will know who you are, and breaching an ASBO could land you in prison."