YOU published an archive photograph to illustrate your front page story showing youths drinking at the corner of Bishopthorpe Road and Scarcroft Road ("Boozers' Charter", February 3). This was taken several months ago.

As ward councillor I would wish to make it clear that while there is a minority of young people who may create a nuisance to local residents, and who drink on open spaces while underage, most young people in this ward are hard-working students and are a credit to their community, parents and schools.

Also, not all the troublemakers in the area actually live here; some come from other parts of the city.

During recent months, all three ward councillors (Dave Evans, Dave Merrett and myself), the local community coppers, Dave White and

Karen Wedgwood, and the council's youth service team have made strenuous efforts to address the problems of anti-social behaviour by youths, including street and underage drinking.

We are particularly proud of being able to increase the level of youth provision through the use of ward committee funding.

I hope residents will continue to support funding this year to advance these initiatives.

We have also supported schemes, such as the ban on alcohol consumption on Scarcroft Green and the Memorial Gardens, to limit the nuisance to residents near these areas, and are working to try and re-establish St Clement's Church Hall as a community facility.

Coun Sandy Fraser,

Micklegate ward

Millfield Road, York.

Updated: 12:05 Wednesday, February 09, 2005