A beggar has been jailed for breaching a banning order

Margaret Edlin, 25, has been ordered away from certain central streets after the council won an injunction.

She had been arrested more than 20 times in the last two years for persistent begging.

But Ms Edlin claims the injunction breaches her human rights.

Another beggar, Della O'Halloran, was jailed for 28 days for breaking her ban on Wednesday.

Difficult issue

City centre manager Jane Ellis says this highlights their efforts to deal with begging.

She said: "The council working with the voluntary sector have to carry out a clear set of procedures and guidelines.

"We have been charged with the task of tackling the issue of begging and reducing the number of beggars that are on the streets of Nottingham.

"What I think it shows the public is how difficult and what lengthy, but very well audited and accountable, procedures we all take in actually trying to solve the problem for those people that want to enjoy Nottingham."

Ms Edlin's solicitor, John Rosley, said the challenge to the ban was important because similar court orders could be made against thousands of people across the country as other councils looked to follow Nottingham's lead.