Schoolchildren drinking alcohol are used to having to dodge the police, but ones in Wallingford also now have to watch out for their headteacher.

Wyll Willis head of the 1,100-pupil Wallingford School in St George's Road, has patrolled the town with police officers as part of an operation to combat underage drinking.

Concerns over noise, litter and smashed glass near the children's play area have been raised by residents and the town council.

Mr Willis, who has been head for two years, noted the names of about 30 pupils he saw drinking on Friday and said parents would have been shocked at what he saw.

He said: "I was surprised at the number of young people out whose parents would not be chuffed about it.

"The antisocial behaviour was fuelled by drink. They got loud and a lot less polite."

The operation targeted dozens of drinkers in Bullcroft Park, the back of Waitrose car park, the Esso garage and Market Place, seizing 12 cans of lager and two bottles of cider.

Naming and shaming pupils was not on the agenda, but the head was considering sending a letter to parents to highlight the problem.

He said: "Really good people are bringing their children up well and letting them loose at night, but they aren't aware of how antisocial they can be in a big group.

"Most parents who would have taken the walk that I did would now be looking at ways to keep their kids indoors."

He added: "We have a good reputation for behaviour in school which the police have helped with and I was keen to give something back. I was just seeing who the kids were and what they were up to.

"I was treated with courtesy but it was clear when adults are not around their behaviour wasn't as it should be and some of the behaviour toward the police was quite abusive."

Pc Andy Hornsby of Wallingford Police said: "We normally seize a lot more alcohol but word got round we were out and it ended up being like a game of cat and mouse.

"They were all very interested to know what Mr Willis was doing out."

Officers are hoping to repeat the operation in the coming months.