A CHARITY beer barrel push by youngsters accused of anti-social behaviour has been cancelled after relations between youths and adults turned sour.

Young people in Masham, North Yorkshire, agreed to race barrels filled with water around the Market Place to say sorry for a spate of vandalism and nuisance conduct.

Money raised through sponsorship was to be given to the Maple Creek old people's home to apologise to residents after youths switched off the electricity supply to the home.

However, the event due to take place tomorrow, has been cancelled because of further bad feeling between adults and youths.

PC Gareth Jones, the beat officer for Masham who was co-ordinating the event, said only three youngsters were willing to take part, which was not enough to safely push the barrels.

He said: "It's an unfortunate set of circumstances.

"There's a bit of apathy from the kids and bad feeling from some of the local residents.

"The kids thought it would become a kind of village stocks show.

"I'm hoping to get that sorted out and reschedule the event for the summer."

The youths have already publicly apologised for causing trouble in the town and had vowed to behave.

But John Ellis, chairman of Masham Parish Council, said the anti-social behaviour had not stopped.

"Nothing's changed and it's all the same kids," said Mr Ellis.

"Four windows in the bus shelter have been put out recently."

Joan Moules, warden at Maple Creek, agreed, saying the youths continued to intimidate old people in the town.

She said: "Masham has a large community of elderly people and they won't go out at night when they are around."