AS a parent of a child who attends Bamber Bridge Methodist Junior School I want to know what is being done to stop the mindless vandalism that is taking place on a regular basis each Friday evening around the school and church premises?

The police are making an effort to stop under age drinking and vandalism in the Leyland area.

But what is being done for the Bamber Bridge area?

On Friday evening, November 9, there was a group of approximately 30 teenagers on the school and church premises. Different people called the police on a number of occasions during the evening.

This didn't appear to have any effect. There were no arrests -- perhaps the police were put off by the thought of the paperwork involved.

The following morning showed the extent of damage and vandalism that had taken place.

The school playground was littered with broken bottles and cans. These included Special Brew, MD 20/20, WDK, Carling Black Label, Stella Artois, Lambrini, Country Manor.

The covered area which is used by children aged four to seven, and has a porous surface, had been used extensively as a urinal, and the strengthened glass in the new entrance had been broken.

The school has recently spent around £2,000 on repairing drainpipes and guttering which in turn reduces the money available for books and equipment.

Why do our children have to keep suffering from this mindless vandalism?

Do the parents of these teenagers know where they have got the drink from?

Do they know what damage they are doing, or is it a case of 'out of sight out of mind'?

It appears that Bamber Bridge is the poor relation to Leyland when it comes to addressing the problems of under-age drinking.

Ian Shepherd, Bristol Avenue, Farington