A city by the seaside in Italy has announced plans to ban the wearing of clothes that are considered too revealing, such as low-cut jeans and miniskirts, in its streets. Today the city council of Castellammare di Stabia will meat to discuss the proposals which will also include a ban on playing football in public places, the prohibition of sunbathing and a ban on blasphemy.

Recently, Silvio Berlusconi, Italy’s controversial prime minister said local mayors would be given increased powers to help them tackle anti-social behaviour and crime in the cities. Mayor Luigi Bobbio said the new proposals were a way of restoring the civil status quo and upholding reasonable levels of public decency.

Those caught walking the streets in what the mayor described as anything too revealing face being handed a fine of between €25 and €500. Mr Bobbio, from the Freedom of People Party, said the new regulations would help combat those members of society who were rude and badly behaved.

Don Paulo Cecere, a local parish priest, said he supported the mayor’s proposals adding that they would also help to bring down the rising incidences of sexual harassment in Castellammare di Stabia. In other areas of the country, Mr Berlusconi’s reforms have meant the banning of people mowing their lawns with lawnmowers over the weekend and the banning of the feeding of stray cats.

Those wishing to share a kiss whilst in their cars will have to think twice in some parts of Italy and in others, the wearing of wooden clogs has been outlawed. On some beaches you can now get into trouble for building a sandcastle.