Angry villagers, living in fear of vandalism and intimidation from groups of unruly youths, are calling for an alcohol ban.

Under-age drinking, damage to property, tampering with cars and drug and verbal abuse are just some of the problems which Catshill villagers say are blighting their lives. The problems were highlighted at a packed public meeting last Thursday.

Residents talked of youths under the effects of alcohol and drugs using threatening behaviour and making their lives a misery.

One angry villager said he nearly had a serious accident when he discovered three of the wheel nuts on his car had been loosened.

"This is not a dress rehearsal, we want real action," he said.

Around 100 residents voiced their anger to representatives from the police and Bromsgrove District Council. Many say they feel that action taken in the past has not worked.

Now there are calls for new restrictions which would stop the youths drinking in public.

Labour district councillor Geoff Hulett (Catshill) said: "There are a number of concerns in the village but many about under-age drinking.

"Children as young as eight are out on the streets drinking into the early hours of the morning and, with the parish council, we would like to set up an initiative to make consumption in public places banned."

Cllr Hulett added that children under ten are under the age of criminality but police still have powers of arrest, which would serve as a useful weapon in their fight against crime.

Plans for this new initiative are now in the hands of various agencies, including the crime and disorder and community safety partnerships, who will look into the possibility of imposing an alcohol ban.

Cllr Hulett added: "We will have another meeting in the near future but we have to give the authorities the chance to set the ball rolling and check with residents to see if they have seen any discernible change."

Sgt Mike Patz, of North Bromsgrove police, attended the meeting. He was keen to push the new initiative forward and would give his whole-hearted support to local licensees.

"If there is a police presence there is no doubt there are less problems, so I will do my best to make sure there are police patrolling the streets.

"I take this problem personally and if I can make a difference I will do," he said.