RESIDENTS in Bere Alston are calling for a ban on the consumption of alcohol in public areas.

They want the ban for a two-mile radius of the village centre because of concern that public places are being closed to residents owing to alcohol abuse by some people.

A petition with 207 signatures requesting the necessary bylaw has been passed to West Devon Borough Council and will be considered at the council meeting next Tuesday.

The accompanying letter from resident and former ambulance officer Trevor Paddon-Hall stated that residents had ?a deep concern that our children and some adults are abusing alcohol to the extent that they cause public places to be excluded from the good people of the village?.

Mr Paddon-Hall expressed concern on behalf of villagers at ?the damage from broken bottles, physical abuse and the harm caused not just to those who consume alcohol in the streets but also now to others?.

The letter claimed there had been instances of drunken children being taken to hospital by ambulance after they had become unconscious, and children and adults buying alcohol locally for others to consume in the area of the parish hall and parks.

Local West Devon borough councillor Christine Grills said she saw the reasoning behind the request for the bylaw.

?If it will cause fewer problems it is a good thing. There is a problem with under-age drinking in the village. But I am just a bit concerned as to where they will go instead,? she said.

The local parish council is in favour of the ban, and parish clerk Mary Taylor said it was working with the police to try to achieve it.

Local community constable Rick Hartigan said the drinking of alcohol in the streets and other public places within Bere Alston was a major problem from the community point of view.

?It is hoped that, working together with the parish council, the problem can be reduced still further,? he said.

PC Hartigan urged individuals to report any problems caused by alcohol abuse to the parish council or West Devon Borough Council in writing in support of the application for a bylaw.

?There is a quality of life issue in addition to particular incidents.?

PC Hartigan has recently been appointed to the area and said alcohol abuse was the major problem during his first summer in Bere Alston.

?We hope with the amount of support and the police evidence that the borough council will support the petition.?