A telephone hotline has been launched to make it easier for people to report anti-social behaviour.

Hastings yesterday became one of 47 zones in the UK to run the Home Office-funded service called It's Your Call.

It aims to cut anti-social behaviour by making it easier for people to report nuisance neighbours, vandalism and graffiti.

Labour-run Hastings Borough Council said the action line number would be promoted using flyers through letterboxes in the coming weeks.

Richard Homewood, director for environment safety, said: "By being part of It's Your Call, we are bringing the people of Hastings closer together in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour.

"The action line enables residents to play their part and have a greater say in how they are governed and policed."

It's Your Call was launched as a pilot scheme in 25 areas throughout the UK between January and March this year.

Brighton and Hove City Council set up the hotline at the end of February and took 279 calls in its first five weeks.

Now the Home Office is extending it to a further 22 areas, including Hastings, the only Sussex town taking part in the initiative.

Home Office minister Hazel Blears said: "We've made good progress in tackling the unacceptable behaviour of the minority and reclaiming our communities for the law-abiding majority.

"But there is still more to do. We need the people of Hastings to play their part too and take some responsibility for where they live.

"Engaging local people is vital to create strong communities and tackle unacceptable behaviour which can destroy people's quality of life and ruin neighbourhoods.

"It's Your Call is a new drive to bring public services and local people closer together, putting power in the hands of local people to get things done.

"Hastings has made a clear commitment to step up its response to anti-social behaviour.

"I want people to come forward and report what is bothering them, make a call that makes a difference and help make our communities better places."

The council is tackling anti-social behaviour with a town-wide street drinking ban.

The It's Your Call number is 08000 8545000.