A campaign has been launched to ban under-18s from buying spray paint in a fight against graffiti.

Jonathan Sheppard, spokesman for the Conservatives in Brighton and Hove, is spearheading the campaign urging shops to take care when youngsters buy paint.

Mr Sheppard, who is standing for Preston Park ward in the May city elections, said: "Graffiti is one of the most visible signs of anti-social behaviour and it seems to be on the increase.

"This initiative certainly won't cut graffiti completely but it is an important first step to ensure this issue is taken much more seriously. This measure is being considered by other councils.

"We hope retailers will be able to use their judgement."

Shopkeepers say they already follow laws that stop them selling spray cans containing solvents to under-18s.

Keith Bryden, owner of Bryden's DIY in Blatchington Road, Hove, said the majority of young people had legitimate reasons for buying spray cans and he would not stop selling paint to anyone, as long as he remained within the law.

He said: "It would lose me business. It is a ridiculous suggestion. There are so many people who use spray paint for artistic purposes."

B&Q in Lewes Road, Brighton, already goes further than the guidelines of the law and aims not to sell even legal solvent-free paints to those under 18.

Graham Beton, manager of Clarkes Stationers in Bond Street, Brighton, which supplies art materials to students, said: "There are not that many kids who buy spray paint because they can't afford it. We sell it at £5 a can."

Tony Mernagh, spokesman for the City Centre Business Forum, said he understood the problem of how the plan could affect trade and the problem of shops being targeted by graffiti vandals.

He said: "Anything that helps to reduce graffiti I am in favour of. I understand a lot of places sell spray paint to people under 18 quite legally and these people use it for artistic purposes."

Chris Morley, Labour councillor and environment spokesman for the city council, sits on the council graffiti forum.

He said: "We would urge local traders to use their common sense in considering refusing to serve anyone they think may be involved in graffiti."