For more than a year Peter Trigger of Farnden Close in Thorplands has been dressing as a schoolgirl and hanging around near a primary school when children are on their way to and from school, following children and behaving in an inappropriate manner.

As well as dressing as a schoolgirl, Trigger is often seen wearing a knee-length lab coat with what appears to be nothing underneath.

Evidence heard during the two-day hearing, which was brought by Northampton Borough Council, included several witness statements from parents whose children had been scared and confused by Mr Trigger's behaviour. All of the parents said that they feared for their children's safety.

The matter has got so bad that they have stopped walking their children to school on their own and now walk in groups or take the long way round.

The Magistrate was satisfied with the evidence heard and granted a five-year ASBO prohibiting Trigger from wearing a skirt or showing bare legs on any school day between the hours of 8.30am to 10am and from 2.45pm to 4pm, he is also banned from behaving in a manner that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household as himself. Mr Trigger must also pay £250 costs.

Failure to comply with the order could lead to his arrest and imprisonment.

A spokesman for Northampton Borough Council said: "Parents and their children have been affected by the behaviour of Mr Trigger. Various agencies, including the police, have tried stepping in to explain how his behaviour is affecting others, but he has taken none of this on board and is adamant that he can dress however he likes.

"We appreciate that Mr Trigger has a right to dress how he likes, but not if it is causing distress or alarm to others, particularly young children, which is the case here."