PICKERING has been branded 'loud, violent and revolting' by a visitor from Newcastle who has warned fellow tourists to steer clear of the market town.

The holidaymaker posted his thumping remarks on the Trip Advisor Review website after a recent stay in the town which, he said, would make his North East home city look 'tame'.

This comes at a time when residents and visitors have called for councillors and police to combat anti-social behaviour, which has rocketed in the town since the start of the summer holidays.

He said: "Having been a criminal lawyer for nearly 20 years, there is little that shocks me, but the language used, largely by Yorkshire young ladies, was the worst I have ever heard.

''Other terminology used was that usually only heard in an anatomy lesson or witness box. Every public order offence I am aware of seemed to have been committed.

"Pickering is loud and violent - revolting.

Pickering town centre that night was a disgrace, nothing less."

On the website he urged action to rescue the tourism industry in the town, which has already been dogged by bad weather and recent floods.

He added: "If you want a rural town in James Herriot mode, steer clear of Pickering on a Friday night. And Pickering - if you want normal human beings to frequent your town, do something before it is too late."

Now town councillors are demanding more police patrols following the publishing of the stinging assault on the town.

Councillor and local hotel owner William Oxley, who discovered the tirade when he was trawling the internet, said: "This website gets 22 million hits a week worldwide. People come to Pickering expecting peace and quiet."

At a town council meeting on Monday evening, Coun Mal Danks, the deputy mayor, added: "We need to take it seriously. We can't ignore it because I am worried about Pickering's image.

''It is not acceptable to have such comments on the website.

''Such comments on the website will damage our tourist industry."

Ryedale's police chief, Insp Helen Taylor, said officers were determined to tackle antisocial behaviour in the town.

They blame many of the problems on underage drinkers loitering around the streets and playgrounds.

Since July 27 police have been called to 21 incidents in the town involving drunken youths and have recently launched Operation Embassage in attempt to curb anti-social behaviour.

Over the past month a 15-year-old boy had to be taken to hospital suffering the ill effects of a night on the bottle and paramedics have been called to other youngsters drinking in the town.

Insp Taylor said: "There has been an increase of incidents in Pickering involving youths drinking alcohol in the street. This is a national concern and reflects an increase in Ryedale as a whole.

"If we find young people under the age of 18 with alcohol or under the influence we will be calling their parents which could mean a trip to the police station to pick them up.

''Parents must take responsibility for their children and this type of behaviour is exactly why I have endorsed and implemented Operation Embassage.

"This has given us more resources to target individuals and locations in the town. It's totally unacceptable and if this doesn't work I will have to look at other options which could include a dispersal order."