BEACH huts are being smashed up at a New Forest seaside village by drunken vandals who use the timber to light fires.

Four huts have been vandalised on the undercliff at Barton on Sea and owners are demanding increased patrols from beach wardens and police.

Police have said they will step up patrols in the evening during the summer to try to deter the vandals.

They are also appealing for more residents to come forward and sign up for a pilot Community Watch scheme.

Strewn around A meeting of hut owners heard that one had its sides removed and the owner's personal effects were strewn around the beach. Just a door was left standing.

The timber had been used as firewood and cans, bottles and litter were left behind.

Hut owner Brian Larwood said he had seen groups of 15 and 16-year-olds gather on the beach, leaving 30 or 40 cans of beer and vodka behind in the morning.

"I've gone up there every night and never seen a policeman," he added.

New Milton town councillor Goff Beck who also holds the district council's crime and disorder portfolio, said he had raised the issue with the council and police.

"We cannot have people going around wilfully damaging other people's property," he said.

"We cannot allow this. Somebody has to be brought to book."

Since the beginning of June two huts have been reported as damaged.

"One hut was destroyed with its back and sides ripped off. The other had some of its boarding ripped off," a police spokeswoman confirmed.

She added that throughout the summer New Forest police will carry out high-visibility patrols at Barton, Milford and Hordle Cliff beaches on Friday and Saturday nights.

Police are also appealing for more volunteers to join a pilot Beach Hut Watch scheme to patrol the beaches on a weekly rota.

Volunteers will be given equipment and training.

Contact PC Del Jones at New Milton police station on 0845 045 4545.