A YOUTH club is being set up in Minety in response to a recent spate of vandalism, which has been blamed on youngsters.

A meeting last week, held in the sports pavilion, attracted a strong turn out of around 50 parents and children to discuss establishing a youth club.

The move comes after a suspected arson attack on a wooden classroom at Minety Primary School.

A piece of material was stuffed through the keyhole of a door to a classroom and set alight.

Police said it was lucky more damage was not caused when the material dropped to the floor, scorching the wood.

Shortly after, Minety Tennis Club was broken into causing £100 damage with human faeces also discovered at the back of the building.

The parish council said there has been no incidents reported since then.

Groups blamed a lack of activities in the village for youth delinquency.

Villager Peter Ody, who is spearheading the youth club proposal, said this was one of the reasons he has taken action.

He said: "We haven't got much for the young in the village or somewhere for them to meet and enjoy themselves.

"The problems seemed to have calmed down a bit and we have had a good reaction from both parents and the children about creating a youth club and I am very hopeful it will happen."

The police and parish council have backed the scheme and Minety School headteacher Bernard Crooks said he would welcome any move to increase activities in the village.

"Anything for children or youth of any age is going to be very good for the village," he said.

As part of the process Mr Ody, with the help of other volunteers, conducted a survey of the young of the village to see if they would like a youth club. Mr Ody, who has three children, said 100 of the 150 questionnaires sent out were returned and the results showed an overwhelming support for a youth club, with 100 per cent backing the scheme.

"It was a very good response especially from the 11-year-olds and there was strong feeling for a youth club," he said.

Mr Ody has visited Oaksey Youth Club and is in talks with Youth Action Wiltshire a voluntary group offering advice to youth groups and Wiltshire County Council over the best way forward.

A group of parents and youngsters is now being formed to move the scheme forward and another meeting is planned for the next month.