YOUTH centre members are not necessarily to blame for broken glass and empty drink tins littered around the building, councillors have stressed.

So much litter accumulates around the centre in St Margarets Mead, Marlborough, on occasions that one resident was moved to write to the town council referring to the "squalid conditions".

John Williams, of George Lane, said in a letter to the council: "It is not often that I am moved to write to the council but I was so appalled at the amount of litter and rubbish in the area around the youth centre that it could not go without mention."

Mr Williams said he was disgusted with the state of the area outside the youth centre and in the adjacent short stretch of St Margarets Mead.

Town councillors had already expressed concern about this problem at previous meetings.

On Monday Coun Peter Cossey told the recreation and amenities committee said that when he walked through the area there were a lot of empty alcohol cans which supported the view that police should check the place out.

He said: "There is a group of lads there every night who are nothing to do with the youth centre, but sit there smoking, drinking and eating and dropping their litter."

Acting committee chairman Coun Peggy Dow said: "I don't think they have anything to do with the youth centre."

Coun Richard Allen, who represents the council on the youth centre management committee, said: "We are not apportioning the blame at the youth centre or the members or users at the youth centre.

"We have a problem of young people choosing to go to the area to drink alcohol. This is something that should be raised with the police."

Even when the youth centre is closed, said Coun Allen, groups of young people congregate in the shelter of its walls. "It is in an area occupied by the youth centre but I would be loath to see a link made between the litter and members of the centre," he said.

Town clerk Graham Gittins said an inspection by the council's groundsmen revealed the skateboard ramp covered with broken glass.

Councillors agreed to bring the problem to the attention of the police.

Youth leader Jan Edwards told the Gazette that she was aware of the problem and was doing her best to tackle it.

Ms Edwards thanked councillors for saying youth centre members were not responsible but she added: "I have to take some responsibility because it is on my doorstep."