The number of people banned from pubs and other licensed premises in the Witney and Carterton area has nearly doubled.

The local Pubwatch scheme has added six names to its list of unwanted customers, bringing the total to 12 men and one woman.

The latest to join the exclusion operated by 65 licensed premises in Witney, Carterton, Eynsham and surrounding villages were all identified by police as playing a part in a disturbance in Witney town centre earlier this year.

Pubwatch chairman Barry Beadle, who runs the Hollybush Inn in Witney's Corn Street, said: "These six are now barred from all the pubs, clubs, restaurants and off-licences in the local Pubwatch scheme.

"We don't want them on our premises and the additional names will be circulated to our members.

"We don't get much trouble, but on the few occasions when there is trouble this is a very effective way of dealing with offenders, in addition to anything the police might do."

The Pubwatch scheme was set up five years ago to protect staff and customers from the risks of assault or abuse.

Bans can last for up to two years, depending on the offence.

Inspector Mike Lynch at Witney police station said: "We originally urged the licensees to set up a Pubwatch because it had worked well in other places.

"We work very closely with the group and I am delighted that there is such a strong membership, coupled with this willingness to exclude troublemakers."