IT'S a shame that so many gatherings attended by young people have to be tainted with vandalism and recklessness.

The rave held at a farm in Chartridge was a case in point. Okay, so it was illegal and those involved did not get permission from the landowner before staging their event. But we should all realise young party-goers need open spaces to enjoy themselves.

The trouble is that until young people can show they can be responsible and tolerant of other people's rights, they won't get anywhere when it comes to staging legitimate outdoor parties.

What farmer with half a brain would allow a rave to take place on his land having seen the mess and destruction left in Chartridge?

Not many.

Farm buildings were damaged, mobile homes wrecked and graffiti was rife. The neighbours were given no warning of the event and were understandably concerned when they saw cars and crowds heading for the site.

The most annoying thing about the whole issue is that the idiots who vandalised the property most likely made up just a tiny minority of the whole crowd who were probably just out for a good time.

That's why anyone who knows anything about the events should come forward and speak to police so they can trace these vandals and bring them to book.

If young ravers want to be given a chance to gain some legitimacy and secure proper sites to hold their events, then they must cast out the few fools who want to wreck things for everyone else.

Until then, most country raves look set to remain strictly illegal.