³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

A rugby club says it will take action to address police concerns over under-age drinking on its premises.

Councillors in Pembrokeshire had been asked to suspend Tenby United Rugby Club's licence.

Dyfed-Powys Police said they had serious concerns about the town centre venue after an assault on a teenager.

The county's licensing sub-committee put off making a decision after it was told a new person would be put in charge of overseeing the clubhouse.

A report before councillors said that in February a 15-year-old boy who had been in the club on Upper Frog Street was seriously assaulted outside.

Dyfed-Powys Police said his eye socket and cheekbone were fractured and he suffered a perforated ear drum.

Police said during their investigation "a number of photographs came to light which clearly showed young people drinking alcohol on the premises".

Officers held a meeting with the rugby club to discuss "serious concerns" about the licence.

To monitor the situation licensing officers visited the premises around 2230 GMT on 4 March.

"The general impression was that there was a lack of management and control at the venue, despite efforts being apparent to monitor the ages of those attending an 18th birthday party," said the report.

"It was fortunate that the cohort group were well behaved because the number of staff and the management did not appear to be equipped to deal with any major disturbance."

Police said they visited the premises again on 19 March when three international rugby matches were being played.

They said there were no staff present checking the ages of those entering and seven youngsters who were under-age were found drinking in an upstairs bar.

At a meeting on Wednesday licensing committee members were told the club had made an application for a new designated premises supervisor to be appointed, subject to legal checks.

The item was adjourned until the committee's next meeting when confirmation of the appointment is expected to be made.