RETAILERS across Hampshire are being urged to help combat the spread of graffiti following a £12,000 wrecking spree.

Civic chiefs are keen to highlight the consequences of selling spray paint to youngsters following the 11- month rampage on the Waterside.

A gang of four teenagers targeted a school, minibus, telephone boxes, bus shelters and road signs, leaving their parents with a £6,500 combined compensation order.

It was made illegal for under-16s to buy cans of aerosol spray paint two years ago but some traders are still selling to young people.

Undercover spot checks revealed disappointing results when trading standards sent underage volunteers out in Lymington recently. Three out of four retailers tested sold paint to youngsters in the secret tests.

Hampshire County Council leader Ken Thornber said: "It is worrying that some retailers are still selling spray paint to youngsters.

"I am particularly disappointed to hear that some traders made a sale to the underage volunteer despite previously being informed by trading standards of the legislation banning the sales of spray paint to under 16 year olds.

"Graffiti not only causes thousands of pounds worth of damage but it also makes places look rundown, which can lead to people feeling insecure and threatened in their own communities.

"Retailers need to acknowledge their role in preventing graffiti in order to help us reduce the spread of this destructive behaviour."

Businesses that sell to spray paint to under-16s face prosecution and are liable to pay a fine of up to £2,500.

Winchester was also included in the recent undercover checks, where one out of six traders tested sold to the underage volunteer.

In the recent graffiti spree, four youngsters, who cannot be named for legal reasons, left a trail of destruction in Marchwood.

The yobs' parents were ordered to pay compensation at Southampton Youth Court last December.

One of the compensation orders was later quashed when the mother of a 17-year-old vandal claimed he was not in her care and she should not foot the £1,037 bill.

A second parent, the dad of a 14-year-old gang member, has also won the first round of his battle against payment of a £3,678 debt.

Anyone who knows of shops illegally selling spray paints to under-16s can inform Hampshire trading standards by calling 0845 6030081.