Shock of Burnham's underage binge drinkers.

Shocked police had to confiscate 30 bottles of spirits and the same in beer from underage Burnham drinkers over a period of only two days, the Weekly News can exclusively reveal.

Officers patrolling on Friday and Saturday this week seized the bumper haul after reports of trouble in the town from out-of-control teenagers.

Two arrests were made after the youngsters targeted Manor Gardens and the Princess, High, and Victoria Streets for their late-night illegal boozing.

The last incident police were called to happened on Saturday at Quantock Close at 11.55pm when around 40 youths were taking part in anti-social behaviour.

But before then Burnham officers had been forced to travel to Manor Gardens at 10.45pm to deal with similar problems from unruly youngsters - again fuelled by alcohol.

Burnham deputy sector commander Roger Tolley told the Weekly News the force would crack down hard on those causing trouble.

"They seem to have the ability to purchase alcohol with gay abandon," he said.

"There are a lot of underage drinkers that are associating with younger adults. They appear to have not quite developed the finesse to drink socially yet.

"We are going to try and stop them from getting their alcohol. If you go to move them, where do you move them to? We are talking about groups of 30 or 40 people here."

Alcohol Concern spokesman Frank Soodeen said the problem of youngsters getting hold of alcohol and drinking to excess was a growing worry, in Burnham and across the country.

"Certainly there is evidence to suggest that binge drinking is increasing in underage people in the UK," he said.

"We actually have on of the highest number of teenage drinkers in Europe. There are serious questions to ask when trying to address the problem.

"Why do young people drink and how do they drink? The problem is that alcohol is very cheap to buy in this country. I think communities have a responsibility to provide a framework for more pastoral care."

Burnham & Highbridge Weekly News