A retired teacher has been told she will go to jail if she causes her neighbours any more stress.

A court heard that Jenny Smith, 75 on Friday, had made her neighbours lives a misery for more than a decade in quiet Coppice Brow, Carnforth.

She shouted abuse at them and made gestures, causing them upset.

Former teacher Smith (pictured) was slapped with an anti-social behaviour order in April - but Lancaster magistrates heard that she admitted 21 breaches of the order and had been on remand in Styal prison for a fortnight.

Sentencing the pensioner to a three-year supervision order, chair of the bench Carol Holroyd told Smith: "If there is one more blip, one more breach, you will be back in court and sent to prison.

"You are being allowed to go home. Give your neighbours a rest. This is your last chance."

The court heard that Smith had intimidated her neighbours by 'screeching' at them, making comments about them and performing childish dances in front of them.

Prosecutor Don Green told the court that she 'wiggled her bottom' at some neighbours.

"This is childish, puerile and totally immature - but it has caused a great deal of distress and upset to her neighbours," said Mr Green.

In mitigation, Alan Reece told the court that Smith's record had been unblemished prior to her anti-social behaviour.

"Prior to the ASBO legislation, there was nothing to bring Mrs Smith to court for," he said.

"Out of a cul-de-sac of 15 or 20 houses only seven or eight people were prepared to come to court.

"The word tolerance comes to mind in this case. Jenny Smith needs help - not sending to prison.

"Some of her neighbours will be happy if Jenny Smith is locked up but the majority will not."

Mr Reece added: "Styal Prison is not the ideal hotel or rehabilitation lounge for her but she has learned computer skills while she has been on remand. The fear of loneliness is what scares Jenny Smith."

In addition to the order, Smith was ordered to pay £45 prosecution costs.

Mr Reece indicated that the pensioner may now move away from Coppice Brow.