Teen apology after 'Beirut' party

A number of worried Lostwithiel residents phoned the police

A teenager whose party was gatecrashed by youths who one resident said left the streets "looking like Beirut" has been sent to apologise to neighbours.

Martin and Annette Herdman were on holiday in Spain when their 16-year-old daughter Holly hosted a party at the family home in Lostwithiel, Cornwall.

But uninvited revellers gatecrashed the house and started drinking and fighting in the streets.

The resident said the party had been "utterly terrifying".

Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed a number of calls had been made by local residents.

There were about 30 teenagers, drunk and running riot in the street Lostwithiel resident

"We had reports of groups of 15 and 16 year olds fighting with batons and sticks in the street after a house party," a police spokesman said.

"They had been drinking and there was glass on the floor."

He said when officers arrived at the scene, the youths had already gone.

Mr and Mrs Herdman, who are local antiques dealers, said they were shocked by the incident for which they were "deeply sorry".

One resident, who did not want to be identified, said the youths had caused considerable distress.

"It was like being in Beirut - there were about 30 teenagers, drunk and running riot in the street," the resident said.

"One girl was even running around wielding a large stick, it was utterly terrifying. "