A DRUNKEN drifter faces arrest if he is seen drinking outside licensed premises anywhere in England and Wales in the next two years.

Edward Bryson, 43, of no fixed abode, received an Anti-Social Behaviour Order from Taunton Deane magistrates on Monday following a string of 22 convictions in the Taunton and Swindon areas for drunken, anti-social and shoplifting offences.

Bryson admitted two charges of being drunk and disorderly - his 11th such offence since March last year - in the Castle Bow area of Taunton last month.

Magistrates also imposed a 12-month conditional discharge after hearing Bryson acted in an anti-social manner likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

Bryson said he welcomed the ASBO as it would give him a chance to rehabilitate.

He had already been banned from licensed premises in Taunton town centre for three months under the Three Strikes initiative to combat drunken and anti-social behaviour, which is supported by police, pubs, Taunton Deane Council, the Crown Prosecution and the County Gazette.

For the police reaction to Bryson's ASBO see Thursday's Somerset County Gazette.