A BID to introduce a by-law banning alcohol in two parks has been shelved.

Richmond councillors claim vandalism and disorderly behaviour are commonplace in the town's Ronaldshay Park and Friary Gardens, on Friday and Saturday evenings.

A meeting on Monday night heard that teenagers are usually to blame, with vandalism and graffiti a common problem for the nearby bowls and cricket clubs.

However, the suggestion that a by-law banning drinking in the parks was voted out - although the town council will be writing to the police, urging senior officers to take a tougher line on the problem.

"We know it is only a minority who are responsible, but they are causing a lot of trouble," said Councillor Clive World.

"I have seen what the cricket club and bowls club have found in the mornings and it is not pleasant.

"It may be that brighter lights in the area would help and we all have a duty to report anything we see, but something has to be done."

Former mayor, Councillor John Harris, supported a new by-law, suggesting it would be interpreted as a "statement of intent".

However, both Councillor Anne Frizell and Councillor David Johnson opposed the idea, suggesting the people responsible for the vandalism and drunken behaviour were not going to be deterred by new rules.

"The only people to suffer would be those who have done nothing wrong," said Coun Frizell.

"On a sunny day in summer, a family may fancy a picnic in the park but would not be able to take a bottle of wine or some beer - but the vandals would still be there or would simply find somewhere else to go. There are plenty of other laws which could be used to stop this sort of thing happening."

After the bid for a new by-law was defeated by five votes to two, Coun Tom Burrows' suggestion that the town council should write to the police was supported unanimously.