PEOPLE in Williton are to be encouraged to get involved in running sports clubs for young people in the village in an effort to cut anti social behaviour.

The move has come after meetings between district council officials, the police, the county youth service, Magna West Somerset Housing Association and the parish council to address problems of bad behaviour in Williton.

West Somerset Council said this week financial support for people to obtain coaching qualifications may be available.

Peter Hughes, community safety officer, said: "We came together to discuss incidents and identify ways to improve behaviour and reduce incidents.

"We resolved to work with the community on these issues. We also recognised that local young people were not the sole cause of the current problems, and that adult anti-social behaviour also has to be addressed."

County youth workers have confirmed that while Williton youth club will remain closed, probably until after Christmas, they are continuing to work with young people in the village via outreach work and a film project being run on Saturdays.

Mr Hughes said an additional Police Community Support Officer had been recruited to work in the village, and the police had made a number of arrests.

"Magna keenly supports local action against anti-social behaviour and will investigate and take appropriate action against its tenants, their children or visitors, who persistently breach their tenancy agreements," he said.

He added that the council had also been working with the county youth service and the parish council on plans to refurbish the changing rooms on the Memorial Ground, pledging £7,000 to help bring them up to standard for use by the youth club and other community groups.

"The county youth service has agreed to cover the costs for the management of the changing rooms, and contribute to further costs," he said.

West Somerset Council is currently consulting with the public and community groups on restricting the consumption of alcohol in the Memorial Ground and, if necessary, other areas of the village.

Mr Hughes said: "I am confident that, with the support of the community, these short-term problems can be resolved."