People who misbehave in or around their favourite bar in Belfast will be banned from the premises for a year under a new scheme to combat anti-social behaviour.

All nightspots who are members of BAND - Belfast Against Nightime Disorder - are involved in the project.

The scheme is starting off at the major Odyssey Pavilion which includes some of the city's top bars and restaurants, and will be rolled out across the city over the next few months.

Anyone then causing trouble in any of the premises will be banned from all of them.

Tom Smith, Belfast city centre management safety officer, said a photo of troublemakers will be sent round the group and they'll be excluded everywhere.

The mayor of Belfast Tom Hartley said it would benefit the city's nightlife while Superintendent Chris Noble said it would force crime down.