SCHOOLCHILDREN in Thornbury are being reminded to act responsibly during the holidays after the town’s playing fields were left in a mess on the last day of term.

Hundreds of pupils from The Castle School descended on the Mundy Playing Fields at lunchtime on Friday.

A funfair had been organised by the town council for the students to enjoy but, due to the warm weather, many chose to relax on the open space.

Despite the council setting up six additional bins to the seven already on the site, lots of rubbish was tossed on the ground.

There was enough litter left on the floor to fill four wheelie bins – around eight times as much as would be collected on any other busy day.

Many families who had been enjoying the sunny weather also left the playing fields as a result of the influx of pupils. 

Police in Thornbury were under the assumption that teachers would be present at the playing fields to keep control, but the staff had actually only been on the school grounds.

Castle School head teacher, Peter Smart, said: “The Castle School has a very positive image within the town and our students are encouraged at all times to model our values of respect and responsibility.

“We were made aware of the litter on the Mundy Playing Fields on Monday, and immediately liaised with the local police to ascertain further detail, and offer our support in preventing a recurrence of the issue.

“School staff were on duty supervising the dismissal of students on Friday within the locality of the school, but the supervision did not extend as far as the Mundy Playing Fields.”

Further warnings to young people have been made following reports of children climbing on the roof of Thornbury Hospital on Monday afternoon, potentially causing damage to the tiles.

The group of five boys, believed to be between 12 and 15, had left the scene by the time officers arrived.

This is the second time in the space of a month that police have been called to the hospital, responding to similar reports of people on the roof on July 3.

Thornbury beat manager PC Sean White said: “We will be patrolling on a regular basis throughout the summer. 

“Any individuals who are causing a disturbance can expect to be dealt with appropriately.”