HARBOUR bosses are planning to crack down on gangs of rowdy youths who are running riot in Lymington and jeopardising its economy.

The town's Harbour Commissioners have vowed to approach the government and demand a new by-law banning unauthorised access to pontoons near the town quay.

Last year furious sailors threatened to boycott the river unless action was taken to protect boat owners and their craft from drunken yobs.

Sailing is a major money-spinner for Lymington and any reduction in the number of visiting yachtsmen would be a serious blow to local trade.

Chris Harris, the commissioners' chief executive, said: "It's too early to tell exactly what the new by-law will say.

"However, we intend to prohibit unauthorised access to pontoons and the rest of our property. Swimming off the pontoons will also be banned."

The move follows a spate of complaints about teenagers setting craft adrift, shouting obscenities at yachtsmen and dive-bombing boats by leaping into the water.

On one occasion vandals started wrecking quayside showers while people were using the facility.

Trouble flared again a few weeks ago when about 16 drunken youths broke into the Quayhole gift shop and stole goods worth about £500.

Mr Harris added: "Youngsters have been running along the pontoons - particularly the one at the town quay - and generally threatening, abusing and intimidating yachtsmen.

"Contravening the proposed new by-law will be an offence, which means police will be able to target the people responsible and take them to court.

"We had a lot of trouble last summer and naturally we're worried it might continue this year."

The decision to obtain a by-law was taken at this week's meeting of the commissioners and follows talks with Inspector Gerry Hutchings of Lymington police.

Mr Harris added: "He didn't promise any instant solutions but grasped the situation.

"We discussed a range of things we could do to tackle the problems at the quay. We will continue to report each incident and thus make the police aware of everything that happens."

Pubs and restaurants in the town will be particularly hard hit if the trouble continues and yachtsmen start staying away in large numbers.

Charles du Parc, vice-president of Lymington Chamber of Commerce, said: "Sailing is a key factor in the local economy because of the income it generates.

"A significant reduction in the number of yachtsmen visiting the town would have a severely negative impact on a lot of local businesses."

A police spokesman said officers would mount extra patrols in the town quay area if the need arose.