More parents will be forced to tackle their nuisance children after it emerged that tough powers to improve behaviour have rarely been used in Brighton and Hove.

Tony Blair said last week he wanted to see more parenting orders issued in a bid to prevent young people getting caught up in crime and antisocial behaviour.

But new Government figures reveal magistrates in the city have issued only 20 orders since their introduction in 2000/1.

It is significantly fewer than other places in England. Sunderland courts have imposed 309 parenting orders and there have been 163 in Leicester.

East Sussex magistrates have dished out 67, while 101 have been issued in West Sussex.

Parenting orders, introduced in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, can be imposed on parents of children who commit a crime or breach an antisocial behaviour order (Asbo) or child safety order.

Under the scheme, failing parents accept support and help from experts in a bid to get their children to behave.

Restrictions can be applied on where children go, what time they must be home and who they can hang around with.

If mums and dads do not stick to the rules, they can be fined or jailed.

Councils, local education authorities and youth offending teams can apply for parenting orders.

But under new plans being drafted by the Government, these powers will be extended to housing officers and local antisocial behaviour teams.

John Mitchell, of the Governmentfunded regeneration organisation eb4U, is involved in applying for antisocial behaviour orders on people in east Brighton.

Mr Mitchell said: "We look at parenting orders as part of a package when you apply for an Asbo. The emphasis has shifted towards finding out why a parent order has not been imposed with a behaviour order.

"A lot of the work we already do with parents is on a voluntary basis although there are occasions when an enforcement order is necessary.

"If we are to see an increase in powers with regard to parenting orders we need to see an increase in resources."