A NORTH-EAST woman is believed to be the first person in the country to be banned from taking her clothes off in public.

Police became so concerned about Karen Bulmer's drunken antics in York city centre that they applied for a banning order.

However, Ms Bulmer allegedly breached the ban within 48 hours by drinking in public - and is now in custody awaiting sentence for that and other offences.

The 37-year-old, of Cemetery Road, York, has twice been declared a habitual drunk by magistrates.

A police officer who has dealt with her on several occasions said: "She has a habit of stripping off in the back of police vans - it puts us in a very difficult position."

The criminal anti-social behaviour order (Crasbo), normally used to restrain nuisance neighbours and anti-social youths, has been tailored to Ms Bulmer's chaotic lifestyle.

It means she could face a prison sentence if she is caught exposing herself, performing lewd sexual acts or urinating in any public place or in the presence of a police officer or council employee.

She has also been banned for two years from purchasing alcohol in any pubs or bars in the city and from having any open alcoholic drinks in public.

Ms Bulmer is due to appear back in court in early January to be dealt with for a charge of being drunk and disorderly, and the alleged breach of the Crasbo.