CALLS are growing for a street drinking ban in two villages near Newport where residents claim drunken youths are terrorising them.

People in Rhiwderin and Bassaleg say groups of between 20 and 30 youths congregated and caused trouble for the past year.

Locals say the drunken gangs abuse and intimidate passers by.

There have also been reports of vandalism with plant pots smashed, and cars damaged.

One resident, who does not want to be named, told the Argus locals were petrified by the gangs. She said: "Many mornings I go outside and clear up cans and smashed bottles.

"Most locals stay in at night and don't get involved as they are petrified. I would support a ban on alcohol outside."

Another resident has resorted to parking her car away from her home to stop the youths running over it.

The situation has now reached such a level that the village shop has stopped selling alcohol to under 21s in a bid to deter the youths.

Police have also stepped up patrols in the area, but residents say this is not enough.

Local councillor Margaret Cornelious is calling on the police and city council to ban open-air drinking in the area.

She said: "It has been going on for months, youths congregating, drinking and getting rowdy.

"There are a lot of elderly people in the area and they feel extremely threatened."

Councillor Cornelious has asked the local authority to investigate the possibility of introducing an Alcohol Designation Order to the area.

A similar order introduced in Caerleon in May had a positive impact on the problem.

Police officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) were given the power to order anyone drinking anti-socially in public to stop and confiscate their opened bottles or cans of alcohol.

Anyone flouting the rules can be fined up to £500.

Council bosses say police already have powers in place to deal with under-age drinkers, but they will consider the call for the street drinking ban.

A spokesman for Gwent police added: "We have been made aware of a problem with youths congregating, specifically on weekend evenings."