A CHARITY music gig was cut short after drunken youths went on the rampage outside the venue, the Guardian has learnt.

Friday’s Band Night at the Aman Centre in Ammanford, organised by a Ysgol Dyffryn Aman pupil and supported by Amman Valley Mencap, was meant to showcase local talent and had drawn around 150 spectators.

But after car windscreens were smashed outside by brawling youths, police halted proceedings at 9.30pm before three of the five bands had even played.

Amman Valley Mencap now say it is unlikely they will be supporting similar events in the future.

“Both ourselves and the venue had taken stringent steps to ensure there would be no underage drinking,”

said spokeswoman Laura Neal. “What we hadn’t bargained for was that trouble would come from people totally unconnected with the event.

“Everybody was enjoying themselves when we heard there was trouble outside and that some car windscreens had been smashed – it was such a shame.

“We are just so upset as the trouble was nothing to do with our kids who were inside having a good time.

“The young event organiser also took a lot of stick for something that obviously wasn’t his fault. We probably won’t be supporting such events in the future – something like this could have a very negative impact on our reputation.”

The proceeds were split between Amman Valley Mencap and Bristol Children’s Hospital.

A Dyfed Powys Police spokeswoman said: “Police attended Church Street, Ammanford, at approximately 9pm on Friday following reports of a disturbance in the road.

“Two youths were arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage and three youths were arrested on suspicion of public order-related offences.”

The youths, with ages ranging 13-19, have been bailed pending further police enquiries.