An extended ban on swimming in country parks, disposable barbecues and unauthorised car gatherings is set to be given the green light.

Tonbridge and Malling council is proposing to introduce a new public space protection order (PSPO) to banish more activities as part of an anti-social behaviour clampdown.

It will give the council the power to issue £100 fines to anyone caught breaking the rules.

This is an extension to an earlier order which includes borough-wide restrictions on nuisance parking in public open spaces, car or motorcyle meets, fishing at Tonbridge Town Lock and swimming, boating and bathing at Holborough Lakes, near Snodland.

It follows a consultation held on the new PSPO which has identified the need to tackle anti-social behaviour at certain key hot spots.

More than 90 responses were submitted from residents via an online questionnair.

There is already a ban on barbeques, camping and swimming in country parks as well as a rule to stop drinking alcohol in public when asked by an authorised officer.

Council leader Cllr Matt Boughton said: "The new PSPO puts residents' concerns at the heart of our response to anti-social behaviour and gives us the flexibility to deal with any situation.

"The changes we've made are in direct response to concerns that have been raised.

"We are determined to use all the tools at our disposal to make sure people do not have to put up with anti-social behaviour in their neighbourhoods."

The local authority has had a PSPO in force since 2017, which was updated in 2020.

It is aimed mainly at dog owners – forcing them to clean up their pets’ mess, keep dogs out of council-owned children’s parks, and prohibits people from having more than six dogs with them at a time.

The newest iteration will be extended to includes the same rules, as well as updated ones both for the whole borough and specific areas such as Holborough Lakes.

The new PSPO pays particular attention to those taking part in “car cruising activities” – making driving in convoys, excessive use of car horns, engine revving, obstructing the road or playing music loud to cause a nuisance punishable by the council.

It will be presented to councillors during a select committee meeting tomorrow night before going to cabinet in March.

The new rules come into force from April.