Repeated anti-social behaviour in Bridport has been slammed by community leaders.

The latest incident involved items being set on fire in a wooded area - with the potential for the flames to spread and damage wildlife.

Police say such acts risk diverting emergency resources away from a potentially “life threatening emergency”.

The comments came after Bridport’s Neighbourhood Policing Team was called out to a wooded area next to the tennis courts in Plottingham Playing Fields on Tuesday evening.

They found debris and burnt out items including the remains of a sofa. The flames had scorched overhead branches of a nearby tree and it is warned that the actions put the area at risk.

Police say the anti-social behaviour in the area is "a big concern" and they have received "several complaints" regarding gatherings of youths shouting, swearing and playing loud music until late in the evenings at the location.

Now the mayor has said the incidents distract from Bridport at its best and aren’t reflective of the wider community.

Cllr Ian Bark said: “It’s a shame that a small group of people are attracting public attention for their completely inappropriate behaviour in the area.

“We will be working with the police and others to address these isolated, dangerous and anti-social activities, which are not reflective of Bridport, or indeed Plottingham.

"The field is widely and peacefully enjoyed by the community, hosting the skate park, tennis courts and play area.

"Only last Saturday it played host to ‘The Plott’, a youth event organised by young people with an array of creative activities and a fantastic and friendly atmosphere – Bridport at its eventful best.”

A spokesperson for Bridport Police said of the incident on Tuesday: "On attending we found the burnt out remains of a sofa which has scorched overhead branches of a nearby tree.

"This is a big concern at this time with the dry weather, which is forecast to remain dry for the next few days, putting this area at risk of being spoilt and endangering any wildlife that live there.

"We have also been made aware that the Fire Service have been called to this area on several occasions over the past two years, which could potentially take a needed fire appliance from a life threatening emergency.".

Bridport's Neighbourhood Police Team are working with the landowner to clear the debris and with local traders on St Michael's Trading Estate to secure waste materials that youths have been collecting to make a den.

Group Manager for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service Brad Stevens said: “With the recent spell of hot, dry weather and the longer summer days, fires in woodland, open spaces and on heath can spread really quickly. We know that people will want to be out and about, enjoying the sunshine, so we ask everyone to avoid having campfires, and to take a picnic rather than use a disposable barbecue. Please also be vigilant to the risk of fire, and call 999 immediately if you see a fire taking hold.”