POLICE in Chippenham have asked for parents' help in combating the town's growing problem with under-age drinkers.

Children as young as 13 congregate in town centre hotspots such as Monkton Park and Market Place to drink alcohol.

Their presence and sometimes rowdy behaviour has led to fears they make some people feel scared to use the park.

Insp Neil Bagnall has warned police will continue to prosecute youngsters and those who supply them with alcohol, and that under-age drinking will not be tolerated in Chippenham.

The warning comes after Insp Bagnall arrested a 17-year-old with a bottle of Lambrini on Saturday night.

He said: "I would urge parents to speak to their children in relation to this.

"It is not appropriate for them to be in the town centre on a Friday and Saturday night consuming alcohol."

On Saturday at around 8.40pm Insp Bagnall was on patrol in Market Place when he approached a group of four youths.

He took the bottle of Lambrini from a 17-year-old boy, who was then arrested and charged for refusing to give his name and address.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is now due to appear before the town's youth court in connection with the incident.

Insp Bagnall said: "We arrest juveniles regularly on a Friday and Saturday night in known areas and we will continue to do it.

"There have even been times when we've had to call parents to come and collect their children because they're inebriated."