CONSERVATIVE leader Michael Howard made a whistle-stop tour of Haverfordwest businesses on Thursday, to highlight growing disorder in the town.

Mr Howard and his entourage visited Quay Street, where weekend drunkenness has left traders fuming at anti-social behaviour including broken windows, violence and vomit-filled doorways.

The trip illustrated the central role crime and disorder is likely to play in next year's General Election campaign.

"The Government is not solving the problems I have heard about here today," the MP for Folkestone and Hythe said.

"It is extraordinary that the number of convictions for selling alcohol to under 18s has halved in the last seven years.

"There needs to be many more police officers and the law needs to be enforced."

Mr Howard promised an extra 350 police for the Dyfed-Powys region and a rejection of the forthcoming 24-hour drinking laws, after hearing how traders claimed they were too afraid to return to their own businesses on a Friday or Saturday evening.

Mr Howard also told how he wanted to 'change the relationship between Britain and Europe' and would continue the fight against international terrorism.

* Tenby's mayor has slammed Tory leader Michael Howard for ignoring her council's views over the burning issue of anti-social behaviour in the town.

Councillor Sue Lane said the town council had been voicing concern about the problem for several years, and someone from the authority should have been present to speak to the former Tory Home Secretary on his walkabout.

"We are very disappointed that he did not see anyone from the council, but then went on to Haverfordwest to meet the mayor there," she said.

But Mr Howard insisted his time schedule in Tenby would not allow for 'formal meetings', and he was in the town to learn about its concerns through the Conservative's prospective parliamentary candidate for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, David Morris.

Added Mr Morris: "We're here to hear from the local people and not the local politicians. But rest assured, we will do everything possible to make this town a safer place."

Replied Councillor Lane: "As Mr Morris has promised to pass on our concerns, the town council looks forward to hearing from him."

Former town councillor Stuart Fecci described the situation as 'diabolical'.

"If Mr Howard can meet the mayor in Haverfordwest, then why not Tenby?" he asked.

LLANELLI-BORN Michael Howard used to visit Tenby as a boy. "It's still a lovely place, but it was more family-orientated then and people weren't worried about binge drinking," he commented.

He sympathised with St Julian Street residents Marion Hutton and Anne Thomas-Ferrand who said they are frequently disturbed by drunken revellers making their way past their homes.

"Something has to be done, because this is making people's lives a misery," agreed Mr Howard, promising more police officers if Conservatives achieve power.

The party was also unhappy with the proposed 24-hour licensing and the recent licensing law changes - all of which he felt would contribute to the problem of people drinking to excess.