A woman has been banned from 100 town centre shops after traders clubbed together to collect evidence against her.

Hayley Battershill, 29, is the first person to receive an Antisocial Behaviour Order (ASBO) after action by shopkeepers.

She must stay away from the stores in Eastbourne town centre for two years and could face prison again if she breaches the condition.

Battershill, of Pevensey Road, Eastbourne, appeared before a judge yesterday to be sentenced for theft and criminal damage offences committed earlier this month.

At an earlier court hearing, she admitted stealing water filters from Homebase in Lottbridge Drove, Eastbourne and causing criminal damage.

Eastbourne magistrates heard Battershill had gone "berserk" when challenged by staff and had broken the strap of the store manager's watch while she was detained until police arrived on October 2.

District judge Paul Tain also heard that she had failed to turn up to appointments as part of a Community Rehabilitation Order (CRO) made against her in April this year.

Andrew Holt, prosecuting, said the defendant had been sent a letter from the Eastbourne Business Crime Group (EBCG), made up of shopkeepers and business owners, in July warning her she faced being banned from town shops because of her behaviour.

Mr Holt said: "The defendant has acted in an antisocial manner and, furthermore, she has a record which shows a number of previous convictions of a similar nature, shoplifting and dishonesty recorded offences."

In September, she received a letter banning her from shops, whose owners are part of the EBCG.

Homebase was not on the list but it was added by Judge Tain.

He sentenced her to three months in prison for theft and criminal damage and ordered her to stay away from the shops on the list.

He revoked the CRO and imposed an ASBO in its place.