Staff at the Co-op in Wootton Hope Drive, Wootton Fields, have become so fed-up with youths gathering outside the store they have introduced tapes of classical music by artists such as Vivaldi and Tchaikovsky to play over the shop's loudspeaker system.

The teenagers hate the music so much that whenever it plays they simply move away.

Chris Ward, manager of the store which has been targeted by burglars twice in just over a month, said: "We are really pleased with the effect the classical music is having so far. There have been problems with large groups of young people hanging around the shop entrance and intimidating shoppers and staff. This has definitely reduced since we introduced the music.

"These young people are definitely not classical music fans and tend to move away as soon as we turn the music on."

The area has become a hotspot for teenagers on Friday and Saturday nights but it is hoped the innovative scheme will help cut crime rates.

Debbie Kirk, regional diligence manager for The Co-op, suggested the new measures at a Wootton and East Hunsbury parish council meeting.

She said: "As a responsible retailer, we're not just concerned with the sale of alcohol regarding the law but also the moral issue of these children getting hold of alcohol.

"We have installed classical music to play outside the store to try to keep them away from the front of the store. We've also looked at the guarding and increased the guarding on a Friday night to two guards."

Members of the company have met with Sgt Paul Beard and the Safer Community Team to discuss ways of dealing with underage drinking.

A spokeswoman from The Co-op also confirmed it had discontinued a brand of cider after finding a number of empty bottles around the store in Wootton Hope Drive.