Bird-feeding, begging and spitting are all set to be banned from the city streets.

They are among a raft of activities which could get offenders into trouble, should a revised Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) get the go ahead.

It is currently being drawn up for Carlisle and is undergoing consultation.

The order would include restricting the feeding of birds in urban areas, banning begging, and prohibiting urinating, defecating and spitting in any public place.

Prosecuting drivers who use their vehicles in a manner that "causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm of distress to any person and behaving in a manner that causes or is likely to cause harassment alarm or distress to any person" is also covered by the order.

Distributors of printed leaflets which are distributed in the city centre or in towns and villages, as well as in council car parks, will also be targeted.

PSPOs were introduced by the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 and members of the city council's street scene and enforcement team would be responsible for prosecuting offenders.

At a meeting of Carlisle City Council's environment and economy overview and scrutiny panel, Colin Bowley, neighbourhood services manager, said: "It's about tackling nuisance behaviour, such as feeding the birds in the city centre.

"Begging is actually illegal. If people are homeless and in need of help then of course we will point them in the right direction.

"But if they're aggressive and are demanding money, then it's something we want to put a stop to."

Mr Bowley added that under the order, dog owners could also be prosecuted for dog fouling if they failed to equip themselves properly.

"The order would state that they could fine a dog owner if they found they had intentionally gone out with plastic bags," he said.

Mike Mitchelson, Conservative councillor for Brampton, asked the committee how people would know they could face prosecution.

Responding, Darren Crossley, the city council's deputy chief executive, said: "We would have public display notices to say that you are entering an area that is covered by the Public Space Protection Order."