Two Leicester pubs have banned drinkers wearing several brands of designer clothing to crack down on violence.

The Parody and Varsity have introduced strict clothing rules and banned brands including Stone Island, Aquascutum, Henri Lloyd and Burberry.

The pubs have teamed up with police to compile a list of clothing they believe are worn by groups of youths and football hooligans.

The policy, aimed at "hard core trouble makers", was introduced on 10 August.

Caroline Nodder, spokeswoman for Barracuda, the company which owns Varsity and The Parody, told the Leicester Mercury: "This is not necessarily aimed at football violence.

"It is targeting a certain gang of young lads that have been causing concern in the area.

"But if it works to exclude that football element, then so much the better."

Pc Karen Holdridge, from the city centre's violence and disorder team, said the policy was aimed at tackling a hard core of troublemakers.

She said: "Well-known football hooligans have a particular dress code. These people are recognised as coming into the city centre day in, day out and causing trouble."

A spokesman for Henri Lloyd called the ban a "ridiculous prejudice".

He said: "To stereotype and prejudice customers based on their choice of clothing seems ridiculous."

A Burberry spokeswoman said: "It's a very aspirational, cross-generational, cross gender brand and with regard to the Leicester issue, it's clearly a localised issue and to be honest it's actually quite insignificant in the face of the brand's global appeal."