OWNERS of a popular Scout campsite in Almondsbury say the facility has been coming under attack from local youths.

Woodhouse Park at Fernhill has been the scene of vandalism, trespass and underage drinking during the last month.

Sue Gillett, chairman of Woodhouse Park, said: "What we are getting a lot of is young people just coming onto the site either on foot or just riding their bikes around.

"This is very dangerous because we have a lot of people, especially young children, camping on the site. There are also issues of child protection.

"Last weekend we had five young people come onto the site and bring their sleeping bags thinking they could just camp up for the night.

"We have already called the fire brigade this summer because wood was set fire to."

The Scouting activity centre, which attracts thousands of Scouts, Guides and Cubs from across the country every year, allows young people to join in activities such as abseiling, archery, caving and canoeing.

Mrs Gillett said: "There is a real danger element - if these young people come onto the site and use our equipment unsupervised they could hurt themselves and we would be responsible.

"We have visitors here all the time and the more incidents that happen people are going to start saying they don't want to come here.

"Last summer there was trouble and it is starting again. We would really like it to stop."

Last summer a firework was let off into a tent and a window was smashed on a residential building while young Brownies were asleep inside.

PC Roger Hopes, beat manager for the Severn area, said: "It would seem that groups of youths are getting access to the site with the only aim to cause damage.

"The damage they have caused has included setting fire to things and smashing up toilet blocks.

"These are obviously local young people who are aware of what equipment and facilities are available on the site but they need realise that this is vandalism and trespass. They have no right to be there.

"The organisation that runs the site is also a charity and does not have the money to keep repairing mindless vandalism."

Last year Avon Scouts, who run the site, launched a £9million refurbishment programme with plans for new equipment and facilities.

Anyone with information should call Avon and Somerset Police on 0845 456 7000 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.