Men caught kerb-crawling in Bristol are being invited to go on an educational course aimed at changing their views of prostitution.

The scheme, called Change Course, looks at the effects a criminal conviction has on men's families, how kerb-crawling affects communities.

But the main focus is on how their behaviour affects girls working as prostitutes, who are often attacked.

Men caught kerb-crawling can face court, but this new initiative allows first time offenders a radical new alternative.

Change Course is run by a clinical psychologist. In return for attending the workshop, offenders escape being named and shamed or prosecuted.

Participants pay to attend the course and the profits that this generates will go towards helping communities affected by the nuisance they cause. Local people can decide how this money is spent.

Police spokeswoman PC Tina Newman said: "This initiative follows other successful pilots across the country. Fifty-three men have completed the course locally and only one has reoffended.

Brian McCutcheon, spokesman for the Safer Bristol Partnership said: "Change Course is changing attitudes of kerb-crawlers. This is being combined with regular, targeted police activity and effective exit strategies provided for sex workers.

"The result is a significant reduction in the number of sex workers on Bristol streets."

A special International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers takes place next Wednesday.