A GROUP of community-spirited young people have been praised by police after clearing up rubbish and bottles left at a park space by a group of anti-social youths.

Dorchester Police officers have thanked members of the group who cleared up rubbish at Maumbury Rings, in Dorchester.

Officers had spotted a group of youths gathered at the site at around 8.30pm on Friday, May 7. They fled as they saw the officers, leaving rubbish and bottles of alcohol behind - despite the fact that they were believed to only be around 12 or 13-years-old.

A separate group of young people then hurried over and cleaned up the mess left behind.

A spokesman for Dorchester Police said: "As we looked at the mess those inconsiderate people had left, another group of young people hurried over and insisted on clearing it up.

"They said they were shocked and sad about the behaviour they had just witnessed.

"They believed those responsible were Year 8 pupils, and this raises significant safeguarding concerns as that puts them in the 12 to 13 age group - far too young for alcohol.

"Thank you once again to those lovely helpful young people it really brightened our day."