AN Amesbury councillor has warned gangs of young troublemakers in the town either to start behaving themselves or face court action.

The ultimatum was issued this week by Cllr Allan Peach, who said he knew the names of some of the main culprits and would recommend both Amesbury town council and Wiltshire county council to take out injunctions against them if the troubles continued.

He was speaking in the wake of three weekends of late-night disturbances involving dozens of rowdy teenagers gathering at the Holders Road playing fields and on two occasions descending on the town centre, where they have been embroiled in stand-offs with police.

The most tense situation occurred a fortnight ago, when 20 extra police officers had to be drafted into the town to disperse a gathering of between 70 and 80 young people following a party held by Stonehenge School students to celebrate the end of their exams.

The party took place on the Holders Road field but spilled over into the town centre after the students were joined by older youths.

This week, Mr Peach, who is a county, district and town councillor for Amesbury, said: "We have now had trouble three weekends running. The focal point for the recent gatherings has been Holders Road and in the past it has been the recreation ground.

"They involve big numbers of young people and go on late into the night, causing annoyance for local residents and often resulting in vandalism.

"We're all fed up to the teeth with it and the town council is working closely with the police to stamp it out.

"I now have names of some of those regularly involved and, unless they start behaving themselves, I shall be urging the authorities to take out injunctions banning them from the Holders Road playing fields and other areas of land owned by the county and town councils.

"This could lead to them being taken to court and getting criminal records."