Villagers say they are being terrorised by a puncture-mad person who's reportedly scattering nails onto the road, costing people hundreds of pounds.

A number of residents in Crawshawbooth, Rossendale, have noticed nails in their tyres in recent weeks, with the local car garage seeing a notable increase in people needing punctures fixed. 

It's not the first time it has happened as locals had to contend with nails littering Burnley Road - the village's main road - last summer.

It's believed the same road, which serves as a busy link between Rossendale and Burnley, is being targeted this time around.

Burnley Road in CrawshawboothBurnley Road in Crawshawbooth (Image: NQ) One of the victims was Andy Bennett.

He said: "It cost me £140 last time, and probably affected nine out of 10 of my neighbours, each needing a puncture repair or new tyres."

The most recent spate has meant Lancashire Police have now begun investigating the matter.

Jane Morgan, whose Nissan Qashqai fell victim to a ruined tyre last year, has also been affected this month.

She said: "I took my car into the garage with a nail in the tyre, and they noticed another one.

"I've had to pay £350 for two new tyres."

Jane contacted the police, and upon reaching out to others, has had countless replies from other people in Crawshawbooth who've had a similar experience.

She added: "So many people have come forward."

Vicky Ford, another local, said: "I've had to pay for four puncture repairs this year."

Nicole Holland, from Rossendale Vulcanising, a tyre garage in the village, said: "I've had to joke with people to say it's not us causing all these punctures because it's not exactly bad for business.

(Image: NQ) Nicole with a punctured tyre"We've definitely seen an increase in cases, I'd say three more punctures than we normally get a day."

Nicole added that the screws seen in tyres range from small tack screws to large bolts.

"Whoever is doing it must have bought a multipack and chucked them onto the road," she added.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: "We have received a report of criminal damage on Burnley Road, Crawshawbooth, between November 1 and 2.

"It is being investigated."

Cllr Allyson Barnes, leader of Rossendale Borough Council, said: "It's absolutely terrible.

"It's dreadful, there is the risk of drivers crashing, as well as the financial strain, people really don't have that much cash spare these days.

"Hopefully the police can identify whoever is doing it, we've had it in the past."