POLICE and businesses today vowed to crack down on anti-social youths spoiling Burnley shoppers' Christmas fun - by stopping shaving foam and 'silly string' being sold to youngsters.

The pledge came ahead of the the start of late-night Christmas shopping, which gets under way in Burnley this week.

The town's festive lights will be switched on by Clarets boss Steve Cotterill on Thursday night when stores will open until 7pm. The following weeks shops will be opening much later on Thursdays and Saturdays for people stocking up on gifts.

But to make sure anti-social behaviour does not spoil the fun, police and businesses are cracking down on nuisance youths - including refusing to sell shaving foam, silly string and ballbearing guns to under-16s.

And anyone caught dropping litter in the town centre will get a £50 on-the-spot fine.

Insp Andy Moore said: "We're all looking forward to the influx of visitors in the run-up to Christmas and would encourage people to use the town's facilities.

"However, if you're one of the small minority of people who does want to cause trouble you are clearly not welcome and will face appropriate police action."

There will be extra police and security staff in the town centre to deal with antisocial behaviour in the run-up to Christmas.

Burnley town centre manager Lisa Durkin said: "Christmas is the busiest time of year for town centre businesses with a lot of investment in Christmas lights, advertising campaigns and entertainment to attract extra shoppers and visitors."