UNDERAGE drinking, antisocial behaviour and vandalism marred Wimborne's annual folk festival at the weekend, as purists call for a return to its roots.

The festival, which has been running for nearly 30 years, has come to be seen by youngsters across the region as an excuse to party in the streets.

This year police confiscated a huge amount of alcohol from teenagers and there was also an incident in which a statue of a knight, which has stood outside Allendale House for many years, was pulled over and destroyed.

One of the organisers, Maria Bisp, says much of the blame for unruly behaviour rests with people "riding on the back of the folk festival" with events that are not in keeping with the folk theme.

"This year there have been even more kids around the town getting drunk," said Mrs Bisp.

"A lot of that is caused by advertising on the radio for events that are not actually part of the festival, but claim to be."

Citing Saturday's Bad Manners gig at The Albion pub in The Square, she said: "It's not folk. It brings a different crowd into the town."

But Albion landlady Anne-Marie McCarthy says such attitudes ignore the fact that people want the festival to evolve and expand.

"Our night was incredibly popular. We had about 1,000 people in here and there was no trouble. People love the fact the festival has all types of music," she said.

"Anything that increases the footfall into the town should be encouraged."

But the purists blame the more varied line-ups for the festival's popularity among youngsters.

"The weekend has been excellent," said Mrs Bisp.

"But it was marred yet again by the youngsters and the atmosphere they create in the evening."

Ten people were arrested during the course of the three-day festival, the youngest a boy of 15, the eldest a 45-year-old man.

The reasons for the arrests range from affray and threats of violence to possession of drugs and assault.