DRUNKEN youths were the only blot at an otherwise incident free Newton Poppleford Carnival at the weekend, according to police.

DRUNKEN youths were the only blot at an otherwise incident free Newton Poppleford Carnival at the weekend, according to police.

Sidmouth sergeant Andy Turner said Saturday's festivities passed without incident and praised the management skills of the village's Carnival Committee.

However, Sergeant Turner said he was disappointed that a group of under-age youngsters used the event as an opportunity to drink large quantities of alcohol.

He added: "Information has been passed to police and some parents will be receiving phone calls in due course. It's disappointing, officers had to be driven away from their posts to deal with an unnecessary problem.

"Otherwise it was a really good carnival, there were more numbers than in past years and a really good atmosphere.