MALMESBURY mother Karen Ashcroft has dismissed claims that her house at 20 Corn Gastons is a drug haven for youngsters, as outrageous.

After visiting the house on two occasions, police are continuing to investigate claims by neighbours that large groups of children as young as 13 are taking drugs on the property.

But Ms Ashcroft has denied accusations of illegal activity in her home and says that only five or six children visit the house at one time.

Her denial has been backed up by David Forward, 47, of Hobbes Close, who named and shamed his disruptive children, Tom, 13, and Samantha, 16, on the town website in January.

Mr Forward who allows his children to visit the house, said: "My children go there often. She (Ms Ashcroft) just gives them a place to go,"

"I have been round there and chatted twice to find out what is happening and I still allow my children to go there.

"I do not really know what they are up to when they are there, but there is no evidence I know of that they are doing something they shouldn't be."

But neighbours have complained of continually hearing and seeing rowdy behaviour at the house and claim that up to 18 children and young adults have visited the house at one time.

One neighbour, a 38-year-old father-of-two who did not want to identified, said: "It has got to the stage where it has got out of hand.

"This has been going on for the last six or seven months and carries on from 5.45pm in the afternoon until 8.30pm at night.

"There are children as young as 13 smoking and taking drugs. I have photographs of children smoking in their rooms."

He said he had even seen children jumping out the windows using umbrellas as parachutes.

"One incident happened as soon as the mother left the house," he said.

"They were sitting hanging out of the window and jumping out into the garden with open brollies."

The resident said he had complained to the police and Westlea Housing Association, which owns the house, but nothing has been done.

"About two or three nights ago there was screaming from one or two girls," he said. "I am not talking about laughter, this was petrified screaming.

"When I phoned the police they said they would go to the house. I asked if I should try the ambulance but they said they would do it but nothing happened."

The neighbour says he wants to make a stand before a serious accident happens at the house.

"I have spoken to the woman at the house as I imagine it is hard to cope with a lot of them coming and going and I understand youngsters have unruly behaviour," he said.

"But if someone doesn't make a stand someone could suffer a family bereavement."

Malcolm Trobe, headteacher of Malmesbury School, confirmed that the school had received complaints from neighbours and said he was aware of two or three houses in a 200-yard area around the school, including Corn Gastons,that were used by truanting children. But he said the school has little power to act.

Westlea Housing Association said it was investigating a complaint from Corn Gastons. A spokesman said: "We are following the procedure we have in place for antisocial behaviour."

cramos@newswilts.co.uk