AN ‘aggressive and obnoxious’ beggar has been banned from Blackburn town centre after he moved from another city to avoid an ASBO.

Thomas McPhee, 46, of Union House, St Peter’s Street, has now had his order extended by Preston magistrates after an application by Blackburn town centre police.

The ASBO, imposed in 2007, banned McPhee from entering parts of Preston city centre.

He is now also prevented from entering parts of Blackburn town centre, as well as an area around Hollin Street and Hollin Bridge Street close to the canal, until 8 August 2012.

PC Dave Hall said: “McPhee has a history of drunken, aggressive, obnoxious and violent behaviour and moved to Blackburn last October to escape the clutches of his ASBO.

“This extension to the order means we shouldn’t experience as many problems from him.

"It has been the volume of his crimes, such as racial public order offences, assault and begging, as well as the nature of them.”