POLICE are appealing to parents of teenagers heading to this weekend's Mop fair in Chipping Sodbury to make sure their children don't drink before heading out.

Fun fair rides will be open on High Street and Broad Street on both Friday and Saturday nights for the biannual event.

Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant Andy McIlrath said: "We are appealing to parents not to allow their children access to alcohol.

"The danger of intoxication mixed with thrill rides could lead to serious injury.

"Like previous events, private security is being called in, and staff have been briefed not to let alcohol be brought into the fair.

"The police operation will concentrate on areas habitually frequented by youths and will attempt to seize any alcohol intended for consumption before moving on to the Mop.

"We will also be sending officers out on bicycles in order to get to the more difficult to reach areas.

Organisers of the Mop fair, which first began in Chipping Sodbury in medieval times, want to restore the event's reputation this year.

In the past few years it has become synonymous with underage drinking and trouble.

This year's event has been scaled down and will only include a handful of rides, which will all be on the High Street and not in Wickwar Road car park as in previous years.

The Mop fair kicks off on Friday March 28 (5-11pm) and continues on Saturday, March 29 (noon-1am). Routes through the town will be closed from 5pm to 11pm on Friday and 1pm till 1am on Saturday.

8:56am Wednesday 26th March 2008

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