PEWSEY Parish Council has congratulated the carnival committee for its organisation of Saturday night's carnival.

But reservations have been expressed about the amount of under-age drinking at the event.

At council meeting on Tuesday Sgt John Coppen said he was concerned with the amount of under-age drinking going on during the carnival.

He said he could not criticise the organisers for it, but he would be speaking to the carnival committee and other community groups about the situation.

It is understood that broken glass was strewn around the streets, and an allegation of rape is being investigated by police.

This re-opened the debate about drinking and vandalism in the village, and about the level of staffing at the police station.

Coun Ann Asbury said: "Thirty years ago vandalism was virtually unknown. It was only when we lost our bobby on the beat that it became a problem."

Coun Alex Carder said: "Parents have responsibility for their children but they don't seem to care. People don't have respect for other people's property any more."

Sgt Coppen appealed for more people in the area to volunteer to become special constables.

Anyone interested should contact Pewsey police on (01672) 562222.