Yobs will be ordered to leave a beach this weekend as police announce a crackdown on anti-social behaviour.

It comes after fed-up residents and beach-goers said boy-racers and louts binging on laughing gas are making living in Whitstable a "nightmare".

Last Saturday, police were forced to use a dispersal order on various areas of the town to clear groups from the seafront and deter further disturbances.

Yesterday, instances of anti-social behaviour, nuisance vehicles, and fireworks being set off were all reported to police, including a disturbance in Harbour Street involving a large number of young people.

Police have received a number of reports of people gathering and causing disturbances on the beaches and in the town in the evenings and at weekends.

In a bid to tackle the issue, a dispersal order will be enforced in Whitstable from 4pm today for 48 hours.

It means anyone found causing or likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress can be made to leave the area. They will risk arrest should they return within 24 hours.

The order covers most of the town, including Harbour Street, Old Bridge Road, Cromwell Road, the seafront, the harbour and Tankerton Slopes.

Insp Guy Thompson said: "While we understand people feel the need to enjoy themselves and we do welcome people to the town, they must do it responsibly, and with consideration for others.

"Anti-social behaviour is not tolerated, it can have a detrimental impact on the community and we continue to work with partner agencies to tackle it.

"We encourage residents, as well as parents and guardians, to continue to work with us and report any incidents to us via 101 (or 999 if a crime is taking place).

"Additional patrols of the town will take place this weekend and our message is clear: anyone found to be behaving in a disorderly way or causing problems can expect to have appropriate action taken against them."

Drivers have been previously accused of speeding and dumping dozens of nitrous oxide cannisters along the west quay in Whitstable.

The surge in litter on Whitstable beach has been blamed on large groups of up to 70 people blaring loud music - who have been gathering on the seafront near The Pearson's Arms and the west quay at the harbour.

Earlier this month a fight broke out on Whitstable's west quay at the harbour.

Read more: All the latest news from Whitstable