A BAR and restaurant owner last night raised concerns over the “intimidating” level of anti-social behaviour and under age drinking at a popular seaside celebration.

Thousands of people turned out for this year’s Aldeburgh Carnival, which finished on Monday with the usual colourful procession through the High Street.

Lorraine Morgan, who together with her husband Greg owns Morgan’s wine bar and eatery and the Waterfront Bar Bistro in Ipswich, attended the event with her young daughters and elderly mother.

She said she was shocked by the level of underage drinking and general anti-social behaviour.

“It was very disappointing and we will never go again,” she said. “The amount of underage drinking and broken glass was dreadful and the abusive language was disgraceful. We felt very intimidated.

“It is a real shame. Aldeburgh is such a lovely, traditional resort and the organisers of the carnival work extremely hard. I have been for the last couple of years and really enjoyed it.

“Unfortunately this time around it was completely spoilt”

Last night Diana Biddlecombe, a member of the carnival organising committee, said the conduct of members of the public was a matter for police.

However she said all entrants were told not to consume alcohol during the procession and there was also guidelines in the event programme.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk police said a 15-year-old boy was arrested for disorderly behaviour while a 16-year-old was given a notice to leave the area. “Officers confiscated alcohol and dealt with anyone who was under the influence of alcohol,” she added.

“Officers responded to three reports of disorderly behaviour during the evening and in each case no crimes were being committed but officers moved young people on. We had a large number of officers on duty. It is clear the alcohol in many cases was supplied by parents and not by licensed premises.”

craig.robinson@eadt.co.uk