A TEENAGE party held at a farm in Axminster was broken up by police after hordes of youths gate-crashed after seeing it announced on Facebook.

A TEENAGE party held at a farm in Axminster was broken up by police after 'hordes' of youths gate-crashed after seeing it announced on Facebook.

Police said the 16th birthday party, at a farm near Charmouth Road, had led to disturbances in the town and around 80 youngsters were sent home.

The party had been held legally, with the landowner's permission, on Thursday, August 6.

But unexpected numbers arrived as word spread, and police were called out at around 10pm.

A police spokesman said: "The party had been official but, unfortunately, it seems to have been spotted on Facebook and hordes of people turned up, who were not invited.

"Somebody, somewhere has mentioned the party on a Facebook page, which has attracted a lot of interest.

"People should be wary about giving out addresses or locations on any social network site."

East Devon District and town councillor Andrew Moulding was contacted by a resident, complaining about the party.

He said: "If people want to carry on that sort of activity they have to get an events license and manage it properly.

"If people are going to have a party on their own private land that is fine - as long as they run it properly.

"If they're not careful, more people will come along and the whole thing gets out of hand.