ELDERLY people whose lives have been made a misery by gangs are to come face to face with the youths.

The meeting between pensioners living in Kingsfold, Penwortham, and the young people who hang out there, comes after relations between the two generations hit an all-time low.

In one incident, an elderly man was verbally attacked by revellers after a nearby party spilled onto the streets at 10.30 on a Saturday night.

It was the final straw that prompted residents to petition Paul Stephenson, the Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary.

They say they've been made to feel like "prisoners in their own homes" and complained to the Chief Constable that nothing was being done to resolve the situation.

One woman who lives in Friar Close said: "Between 20 and 30 young people gathered outside a house in Lower Croft.

"They were just messing about at first but it turned into a nasty incident. He went out to ask them to tone down and was bombarded with abuse. One lad told him he was going to get killed."

But police have been quick to respond; within a week they had a meeting with the residents, Penwortham Town Council and representatives from South Ribble Borough Council.

And now the residents and the youths are to meet up to try and settle their differences.

Brian Waring, who lives in Kingsfold Drive, said: "We felt like we had to write to the chief constable after what happened.

"There's a lot of old ladies living on their own and they're frightened to come out of their houses so I think the meeting's a great idea. I'll definitely be attending."

Greg Sloan, community beat manager for Kingsfold, said the police were looking at how they can make people feel safer.

He said: "We work hard on Kingsfold and have spent 11,000 hours walking the beat and creating diversionary activities for the young people.

"In the last three months we have issued seven anti-social behaviour contracts on juveniles and they have responded well, and by holding a meeting between the residents and the young people we hope this will help make relationships better."

He continued: "But remember the good things young people are doing in the community because it is the minority that spoil it for the majority."

Steve Caswell, Penwortham town centre manager, has been liaising with the youths and will be attending the meeting. He said: "We will also ask the young people what other things they want in the area that will prevent them getting bored and you have to remember that we're living in one of the safest areas in the county."

No date has yet been set for the meeting.