In what is believed to be a unique act of atonement a Pewsey teenager has apologised in public for painting graffiti in the village, The 14-year-old went before Pewsey Parish Council on Tuesday evening and said sorry for his acts.

His decision to apologise in person to the council won him the praise of members.

The teenager cannot be named because he is still technically subject to youth court procedure, although he is to be dealt with by way of a police caution.

His parents said they would not be happy for him to be named.

WPC Emma Brown, the Pewsey community beat officer, told the parish council that recent graffiti in the centre of village had been traced to three youths.

Two, including the one who went before the parish council on Tuesday, had made full admissions and would be helping clean up the graffiti.

They would both be dealt with by way of police admonitions, the officer said.

A third teenager was still being questioned by police about his involvement.

On Tuesday the 14-year-old Pewsey boy, named only as J, went along to the parish council with his mother and father.

They watched as he made a full and frank apology after being invited to speak by chairman Alex Carder.

The boy said: "I am very sorry and it will not happen again. I have learned my lesson and it was very stupid of me. I was with some other boys at the time and what we did was stupid."

Coun Carder thanked the parents for taking their son along to the meeting.

He said: "It is a pity that more parents do not do the same."

WPC Brown said: "Other parents were invited to come along to this meeting but they declined."

Coun Carder praised the teenager for his bravery in facing the council.

He told the boy: "I know that it is easy to do something wrong but it takes a big man to say sorry."

WPC Brown told the council: "He has said in interview that he is quite willing to work with the parish council or anybody else to help remove the graffiti."