A "SMALL number" of Bewdley High School pupils have been temporarily excluded following a probe into lunchtime drug-taking.

Head David Derbyshire launched an investigation following an incident on Friday - but stressed not all of those punished had been taking drugs.

Concerns were raised by Tony Williams, who has two children at the school, at Monday night's Bewdley Town Council meeting.

Members discussed various youth disorder problems and will press ahead with a bid to have town centre streets made an alcohol-free zone.

Mr Williams told the Shuttle/Times and News: "Drugs are quite a problem at the school and in the area. I don't know what the answer is.

"I am extremely concerned that young people are being exposed to drugs. I have two children at the school and I believe they're level-headed but you always worry about the kind of company they're keeping."

He added: "As a councillor I am very worried. It is extremely easy for children to obtain drugs from all sorts of sources in Bewdley."

Town centre beat manager PC Nigel Barter confirmed there had been a report of an incident on Friday and said he understood parents' concerns.

But he said he was trying to deal with the "overall picture" and was working positively with the town council on drug-taking, under-age drinking and youth disorder.

Youth awareness letters can be sent to the parents of youngsters found to be involved in mischief as a precursor to anti-social behaviour orders.

And PC Barter regularly visits the high school to get to know pupils.

Kidderminster Division's Chief Superintendent Suzette Davenport has pledged to back the town council's bid for the town centre alcohol-free zone, which will now be submitted to Wyre Forest District Council.

Mr Derbyshire confirmed cannabis was the drug involved in Friday's lunchtime incident, which took place off school premises.

But he stressed some of the pupils who have been temporarily excluded as a result were not taking drugs themselves.

He said Bewdley's drugs problem "emphatically" does not centre on the school. He has dealt with one previous incident since taking over as head in April.

Mr Derbyshire added the school would be happy to be represented on any group set up to look at ways of tackling issues such as drugs, under-age drinking and disorder in the town.