A council has come under fire for new legislation that could see homeless people fined £100 on the spot.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council bosses have been criticised for the Public Spaces Protection Orders, which will come into effect later this month.

The orders are available to local authorities and are used to tackle anti-social behaviour within specific areas - normally within town centres.

Starting from September 24, the council will be able to fine anyone caught begging or rough sleeping where there is associated anti-social behaviour or where the the person is not engaging with support services.

However, homeless charity The Bridge Trust has criticised the move.

Chief executive John Handley described it as "a bit of a draconian measure".

He said: "I think it's a bit daft to say you're going to fine a homeless person - what are you going to do, empty the money out of the coffee cup in front of them?

"Having said that, I do understand that it is a tool in the toolbox that the council can use.

"The national and local government have taken steps towards addressing homelessness, certainly in the last few years, but it's never going to be enough."

The order can also punish anyone loud music, as long as the council receives a complaint about it and deems the volume to be causing what it rerfers to as "an unreasonable disturbance".

The use of psychoactive substance will also be prohibited.

Each breach could leave offenders with an on-the-spot fine of £100, which could rise to £1,000 if the case goes to court.

Drinking in St John's and Grosvenor and Hilbert parks is now banned under the PSPO and could cost an offender up to £500.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council carried out a consultation into the PSPO earlier this year.

Dog owners are being warned the penalty for dog fouling will rise to £100 across the borough on the same day the PSPO begins.

Dogs will no longer be allowed in any children's enclosed play areas, and must be kept on leads in St Mark's Recreation Ground and the Neville Ground.

Councillor Lynne Weatherly, communities and wellbeing portfolio holder at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, said: "The PSPOs take into account the feedback received during the consultation the council carried out when they were first proposed.

"From the very start of this process we have said that we have no desire to penalise people who are already in difficult circumstances, we will be sensitive to those who need support."