IT MAY have had its problems in the past but the West Swindon fun fair is becoming a trouble-free zone thanks to a partnership between the police and the fair's owners.

For the past few years the fair, which is held at the Link Centre, has been marred with violence and anti-social behaviour.

But organisers say their plea for revellers to be on their best behaviour has not fallen on deaf ears.

"It has been a 100 per cent improvement in behaviour this time around," said Steven Hill, the owner of Next Generation Fun Fairs, which has been holding events at the site for the past 15 years.

"I wouldn't say we have stopped it completely but it is so much better than it has been."

To try and combat the problems the organisers, in partnership with the police, decided to enforce strict rules.

They included a ban on alcohol, drugs, ball games and running.

They also stopped people using the subway, which leads to the Link Centre, as an exit.

"This year we had more security and a stronger police presence to deter teenagers from drinking and spoiling it for the 95 per cent of people who just want to have fun," said Mr Hill.

"We had gates at both ends and were turning people away who had alcohol and there has been no anti-social behaviour at all.

"Visitors definitely seem ed much more relaxed and everyone seemed to have a good time. I am really pleased with how it has all gone and it will set the benchmark for when we return in March.

"We'll keep doing this until we stamp out the problems altogether."

And the new rules definitely seemed to be going down well with the crowds who had gone along.

Victoria Morriss, 34, of Old Town, was watching her son on one of the rides.

"We came along last time and it was really good," she said.

"We come early so aren't really too worried about any trouble.

"There seems to be a lot more here this time, especially for the younger ones and that is great."

And Tracey Davies, of Rodbourne, said it was the best fair the Link Centre had seen.

"It is really good this year and there are so many things to go on," said the 17-year-old.

"It looks more professional somehow and there is just so much to do.

"It is great."

The organisers of the fair decided to take action after witnessing a higher level of disorder than usual last March.

WPC Pat Salter, of Swindon police, said: "Over the past few years we have had too much anti-social behaviour at the fair.

"At the last fair in March we had several incidents of anti-social behaviour.

"There was a stronger element of it than there has been before."

This time last year a 13-year old girl was beaten up at the fair as a group of 30 people watched.

The teenager was punched and kicked in the face and back by boys and girls in what was described as a totally unprovoked attack.

But there was no sign of any trouble at this weekend's event and visitors are looking forward to when the fair returns in March.