Locals packed into a Shropshire village pub for a night of drinking and fun – but no alcohol was served as every customer was under 18.

The first of its kind “pub” youth club was launched at The Fox Pub in Bayston Hill, near Shrewsbury, last night. Village police officer Constable Ram Aston has been working closely with landlady Debs Draven, who has agreed to open her premises every Monday night for the use of  under 18s only.

She said: “I think the youngsters deserve somewhere for them to go because there is nothing for them to do. Hopefully more pubs will follow suit and give them a chance.”

But Constable Aston said the youngsters understood they had to give something in return for being able to use the club.

Police were looking to see a reduction in the levels of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage incidents reported.

He said: “Although there have been reports of anti-social behaviour among the young people since joining Bayston Hill our work ethos is to make sure that every contact matters.

“We would hope the young people, the elderly and everyone in the community that comes into contact with the team goes away feeling happy and this is what we are trying to achieve with the scheme and with Pubwatch, Neighbourhood Watch, the parish council, the church youth club and everything.”

And the youngsters say they are very willing to co-operate if it will mean they can continue to enjoy the youth club.

Benn Pryce, 16, one of the youngsters who helped to organise the event, is no stranger to trouble.

He said: “I was just bored so I was hanging around in groups and I was always blamed for things.

“We had nothing at all to do at nights and there was trouble but we have got new police officers in the area and we have got Ram.

“He said he would help us out and he did.

“I think it is a good idea, it is dry and we can all be together and not be blamed for being in a big group,” he added.

Joe Andrews, 16, said that he was surprised they had been allowed to use the local pub.

But he said he thought that it was a good idea for young people.

“It gets us off the streets, everyone who I have spoken to wants to come down,” he said.

By Rhea Parsons