CONCERNS have been raised about under-age drinking and vandalism at a Ryedale beauty spot.

Orchard Fields and Castle Gardens in Malton have been subjected to vandalism and litter, including broken bottles and cans, for some time, as well youths gathering to drink alcohol.

One local resident, who did not wish to be named, said she had been verbally abused when she confronted a group of six girls and boys drinking in the area.

"I asked them politely to put their cans in the bins when they had finished with them and got a mouth full of abuse," she said.

"This is something that is not going to go away and as the nights are lighter and the weather improves, so do the youngsters appearing and drinking in Orchard Fields.

"Would it not be a good idea for Malton Police when they are passing to go in on foot from different entrances to clamp down on these youngsters? They could also go into local schools to advise on underage drinking and alert local businesses about selling alcohol to these young people.

"Ryedale District Council (RDC) do a fantastic job of clearing the mess these irresponsible people make. Not only is it a hazard for the dogs that are walked there, but also for the children that go and play there. Visitors to the area have been quite appalled by the mess left."

Councillor Di Keal, a member for RDC and founder member of the Castle Garden project, said: "Orchard Fields and the Castle Gardens are lovely public open spaces, which are regularly strewn with litter by a few anti-social people who think it is acceptable for other people to pick up their rubbish after them.

"Members of the Malton and Norton Tidy Group regularly collect sacks full of rubbish and do a fantastic job, but it's down to everyone to take responsibility for their own rubbish and not drop it in the first place."

Councillor Hugh Spencer, a member of the Castle Garden project and Norton Town Councillor, said the problem had been ongoing for a number of years.

"Youngsters are getting in there and having these drink parties as well as committing acts of vandalism," he said.

"The problems is catching them red-handed and it is a great pity they do not appreciate what we have got."

PC Jane Jones, of Malton Police, said: "We are aware of local youths going into Orchard Fields on a Friday and Saturday night. Police patrol it most weekends and youths are dealt with robustly if they are caught with either drink or drugs.

"A couple of weekends ago a 15-year-old male was taken home drunk, but we couldn’t find out where the alcohol came from.

"Some parents are even dropping their children off at the location, surely they must be aware that their children are intending on drinking or doing drugs? They may even be buying them the alcohol."