MAGISTRATES have rejected a bid to have a teenage prostitute banned from Blackburn's red light district under the terms of an Anti-Social Behaviour Order.

The application was made by Crown Prosecutor Neil White, who said it was an option Blackburn magistrates might consider to be in the girl's interests, as well as people who live in the area.

But Blackburn magistrates rejected the idea and, instead, imposed a six-month community rehabilitation order, which they said they hoped would help Kelly Roberts to sort out her problems.

Roberts, 18, of Taylor Close, Blackburn, had previously pleaded guilty to two offences of soliciting for the purpose of prostitution and breach of a community rehabilitation order, all committed when she was a juvenile.

Mr White said the first offence of soliciting had been committed in Byrom Street and she was on bail for that when she was seen looking into a passing red Lexus car in Pearson Street. He asked the magistrates to consider their powers to make an ASBO specifically in relation to her activities in the red light area of Blackburn.

"These are offences that impact on the people who have to live in the area where prostitutes are operating," said Mr White. "Given that the defendant is only just 18 and is already working as a prostitute, it may well have some benefit for her."

Ian Huggan, defending, said Roberts had been drug-free since early March and was making strenuous efforts to sort out her life.

"It is significant that since she has been drug-free there have been no more offences," said Mr Huggan. "She is clearly a young lady who needs help, but she is also prepared to help herself."

Mr Huggan said the previous order which Roberts had breached was for two years and he agreed with the author of a pre-sentence report that this had been too long.

"To her, that was never ending," said Mr Huggan.

He said he did not believe an ASBO to be appropriate in Roberts' case.