A LEADING Test Valley Borough councillor is calling for the introduction of alcohol-free zones at Valley Park in a bid to prevent booze-fuelled yobs causing problems.

Valley Park's Cllr Alan Dowden said: "The only way we are going to help in reducing this sort of behaviour is to introduce alcohol-free areas within all of the parkland and woodland areas that are controlled by Test Valley Borough Council. This will make this kind of drinking by young people more difficult and therefore less attractive."

Mr Dowden also wants to see a youth shelter at Knightwood Leisure Centre in Valley Park removed because it attracts yobs.

He will put a motion before full council on June 21, calling for the authority to impose the complete ban of alcohol within parkland and woodland at Valley Park.

He said: "There is a growing and worrying trend of youngsters drinking alcohol at a very early age nationwide which is not only damaging their health but under the influence of alcohol many change their behaviour patterns and resort to vandalism and general antisocial behaviour.

"We have a problem at Valley Park and many other areas within our borough. This council could do more to combat such activity.

"One example is the youth shelter. Since it was been installed, it has acted as a magnet for local youths and youngsters from outside Valley Park. The ideal was good and was supposed to allow teenage youngsters to meet and congregate together. But it has sent out another message, which is that this is a good place to meet and drink alcohol and the evidence is left for all to see the next morning."

The evidence, Mr Dowden said, was beer and lager cans, broken bottles and, on many occasions, vandalism.

He highlighted other problems caused by kids high on booze: "The leisure centre itself has suffered repeated vandalism and the manager seeks the shelter's removal. Windows at the leisure centre are repeatedly the targets of the vandals and one weekend alone, windows were smashed at an estimated cost of around £1,200.

"Play areas and landscaping are constantly being damaged, costing council taxpayers unnecessary expenditure. Local residents then suffer after these drinking sessions at the shelter and in the woodland and parkland areas. These youngsters then trail home, finding it good fun damaging litter bins, residents' fences and buildings."