YOUTH football results in Wyre Forest where one team scores more than seven goals are no longer being released because it is feared they could upset youngsters.

The committee of the Stourport and District Youth League made the decision after members objected to the wording used to describe results in newspaper reports.

Hundreds of players from the district, aged between six and 18, take part in league games at weekends throughout the season.

Tracey Kidd, the league's press officer, said: "As a committee, we decided not to publish the scores because of the wording used in some newspapers' match reports, including the Shuttle/Times and News.

"We cannot understand why words like 'thrashed' and 'smashed' have to be used in reports.

"We have had a girl who plays in the under-eights league in tears after she read that her team was hammered.

"The decision was made with the full support of all the clubs and we have received no complaints from parents.

"We are going to have a meeting regarding the matter but no date has yet been set," she added.

Shuttle/Times and News editor, Clive Joyce, said: "The league's decision means we are no longer in a position to give a complete picture of activities in this thriving and successful league.

"This is obviously unacceptable to a newspaper that prides itself on being the paper of record for Wyre Forest.

"We endeavour to provide comprehensive coverage of the district's sporting scene and cannot be a party to reporting selected results.

"We will not be carrying these incomplete reports in future and that means the real losers in all this are the children.

"I would like to think the league will reconsider their position," Mr Joyce added.