A hotline for people to report anti-social behaviour has been inundated with calls.

More than 560 have contacted It's Your Call since its launch in Brighton and Hove at the end of February.

The scheme is already having an impact on antisocial behaviour in the city.

Fly-tipping, abandoned cars and graffiti are topics which have prompted the most calls.

Incidents of harassment, intimidation, drug dealing, and rowdy behaviour have also been reported.

One call resulted in anti-social behaviour orders being made against two teenage girls who were causing problems in parts of central Brighton.

The girls were part of a group who repeatedly harassed and shouted abuse at traders. When challenged by a store owner on one occasion, they threw milk crates around the shop and dumped merchandise on the floor.

The hotline aims to provide a one-stop service, making it straightforward and simple for people to ring Brighton and Hove City Council.

Often council teams will work together with other agencies such as Sussex Police and the DVLA to take action.

City council leader Ken Bodfish, who is also chairman of the city's Community Safety Forum, said: "The helpline is making a real difference in helping us to tackle anti-social behaviour and send out a clear message that it will not be tolerated.

"People like the fact there is just one number to call to report a problem and they are keen to play their part to help us take a stand against anti-social behaviour.

"The nature of some calls is complex and means there is not always an immediate solution but all calls are investigated and followed up."

The Brighton and Hove hotline was one of 25 in the UK introduced with Home Office funding as part of a pilot scheme and took 279 calls in its first five weeks.

The success of the scheme has led to anti-social behaviour hotlines being set up in 22 other areas including Hastings where the service was launched last month.

To report antisocial behaviour in Brighton and Hove ring It's Your Call on 0845 6052222.