Tighter rules for parties

Members of the town council's property and personnel committee agreed last week that people booking parties for teenagers should be charged for the services of a doorman, who should be provided with a list of guests, and that parents should remain on site all evening and have to pay a 50 deposit.

Councillors also agreed that officers should have the right to refuse a booking.

The majority of problems arose with parties for 13-year-olds, said general manager Mrs Susan Isted. The main worries were gatecrashers trying to get in through the windows and the smuggling of alcohol on to the premises.

She had considered requesting that all parties for teenagers be banned but thought tougher rules would help.