Regular pubgoers will testify how televisions have the uncanny knack of turning entire bars full of people into glaring zombies.

Traditionalists complain televisions in public places are distracting, intrusive and sap the art of conversation.

But they are fighting a losing battle as giant plasma screens become part of the furniture in almost every watering hole.

Until now, that is.

The war on pub TVs has a new lethal weapon and it is only available in Brighton.

Snoopers Paradise in Kensington Gardens has become the first shop in the UK to stock the TV-B-Gone device.

The small black gadget can be attached to a keyring and looks just like a car alarm fob to the untrained eye.

But the new invention allows the user to rid the local pub of satellite football or soaps with the flick of the wrist and pocket the control before they are spotted.

When activated, it spends up to a minute flashing out 209 different codes to turn off televisions, the most popular brands first.

David Burke, from Lewes, who is helping to launch the American invention, which costs £14.99, said: "Televisions in pubs and cafes are an inescapable modern-day menace.

"People who use this device are sending out a clear message to landlords that most people do not want them on all the time.

"We go to the pub to get away from the TV not to be bombarded with it. We don't need ambient television."

David has started an anti-television pressure group called White Dot and is encouraging people to use TV-B-Gone during a week of direct action at the end of the month.

He said: "We have a web site and are compiling a database of pubs and cafes ruined by televisions and we plan to hit them all during the week to get our message across."

TV-B-Gone could have more sinister uses though.

Pranksters could cause riots by turning off televisions during vital football matches, schoolchildren could make mischief in lessons and the potential for practical jokes in betting shops is enormous.

David added: "We don't advocate that kind of use. If you don't want to watch TV in a pub then don't go in during an England World Cup match.

"You would be taking your life into your own hands."

Alma Dema, manager of the Royal Standard pub in Queen's Road, said: "It's a clever invention but it could cause trouble.

"We have our plasma TV on in here all the time and it is popular with the customers because of the sport and music channels.

"It was taken away for repair last week and people were asking where it was.

"It was like a bereavement."

Drinker Owen Birch, 34, said: "You could have a right laugh with it if you wanted to wind your mother-in-law up on Christmas Day during the Queen's Speech.

"It's a good little novelty but I would not be happy if some bright spark pulled one out during an England match."