A STOURPORT town councillor is calling for an alcohol ban on the town's streets following spiralling anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

Councillor Gary Talbot called for the ban at last Thursday's annual parish meeting at the Civic Centre, when several members of the public turned out to protest at the problem of under-age drinking, vandalism and rowdy behaviour in the town.

John Williams, of Galahad Way, said residents had continually suffered damage to their cars going back to last October.

He said: "The yobs are going through Galahad Way to get to the Memorial Park. The vandalism is obviously fuelled by drink because we see them carrying large bags. Often, they don't look any older than 14.

"Somebody must be selling the alcohol to these under-age youths, either directly or indirectly."

He added, however, that since a police crackdown a month ago the problems around Galahad Way and the park had improved.

Calling for the alcohol ban, Councillor Talbot highlighted the plight of the staff at Threshers in the High Street.

He said children were persuading people who were legally old enough to do so to go into the store to buy alcohol on their behalf. The staff are petrified. They refuse to serve them but then they are threatened," he explained.

l An alcohol ban already exists in Bewdley and calls have also been made for such a ban to be implemented in Kidderminster.