News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

An 81-year-old grandmother was given a "nuisance notice" for wearing a bikini in her own garden.

Pensioner Kay Crane, a former model, was threatened with legal action by a town hall after being given a new-style 'Asbo' (anti-social behaviour notice) to prevent her from wearing her two-piece swimsuit on the property.

Ms Crane, from Stockport, Greater Manchester, was told not to wear her bikini in view of a neighbouring nursery, according to a freedom of information request.

Ms Crane said: "I felt bullied, intimidated and steamrollered."

It was one of more than 20,000 new-style Asbos, or "nuisance notices" handed out by cash-strapped councils to homeowners accused of minor 'anti-social' behaviour such as keeping chickens, feeding birds or failing to trim overgrown gardens.

(Image: Collect Unknown)

The Asbo was subsequently withdrawn on a technicality.

Three families were told to stop keeping chickens and ten councils issues notices against people feeding birds, as critics argued many of the Asbos were handed out for "trivial" behaviour.

In another case, North Warwickshire council ordered a householder to improve a dilapidated shed.

The number of notices, known as "busybodies' charters", has increased by 58 per cent from 3,943 in 2014-15 to 6,243 in 2017-18.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

Over the four-year period, 20,239 community protection notices (CPNs) had been handed out, the Telegraph reported.

CPNs were introduced in 2014 and are punishable with on-the-spot fines of £100.

If taken to court, the fine rises to up to £2,500.

Campaign group the Manifesto Club, which submitted the information requests, said many of the notices appeared to restrict people's freedom to live as they pleased in their own homes.

Josie Appleton, of the Manifesto Club, said: "At least Asbos had to go through a court and you had the right to a defence.

"These new orders are a scandal in comparison.

"They need to be urgently reviewed, and drastic changes made, to avoid injustice and innocent people being penalised."