TENNIS players in Torpoint are appealing to a small group of youths to stop their anti-social behaviour which is spoiling matches in the town.

The two courts used by the Torpoint Tennis Association in Thanckes Park have been targeted by the youths.

Fencing around the courts has been cut in several places, bags of dog dirt have been taken from bins in the park and dumped on the courts, large stones have been thrown over the fencing, bottles have been smashed on the playing surface and abuse has been hurled at players.

"Junior members are being intimidated by the youths, who are mainly boys aged around 14 and 15. They are reluctant to go down to the courts to play," said a club spokesman.

"They have been bombarded by rocks taken out of the park wall.

"And visiting teams who come to Torpoint expecting to play in a lovely setting have been greeted with abuse. A visiting ladies team was subjected to verbal abuse of a sexual nature.

" It's a small group of youngsters being anti-social. We would appeal to them to stop spoiling other people's enjoyment.

"We think the same youngsters have been playing on the courts after cutting holes in the fence. We would urge the parents of any youngster going off with a tennis racket to ask them where they are going to play.

"If the youngsters want to play on the courts they can take out a junior membership. This only costs £15 for a year and they can then play 365 days a year."

The police have been informed about the incidents.