ROSSENDALE'S MP has called for a town centre booze ban to be extended across the Valley.

Janet Anderson made the call after chairing a meeting set up by police and councillors to discuss groups of teenagers who regularly gather in Hammond Avenue, Stacksteads.

Around 80 residents attended the meeting at Acre Mill Baptist Church, off Newchurch Road, to air their concerns over groups of teenagers - sometimes 50 strong - who drink and cause a nuisance in the Hammond Avenue area.

The MP said she will now be writing to council chiefs, magistrates and police to call for Rawtenstall's drinking ban to be rolled out to the rest of Rossendale.

Speaking after the meeting she said: "There was strong support for a ban on street drinking in Stacksteads similar to that in Rawtenstall town centre.

"There have been real problems with youths causing a nuisance in the Hammond Street area and elsewhere.

"The residents told us that most of the problem in Stacksteads were alcohol related. It seems to be the same picture across the borough.

"The ban in Rawtenstall town centre has been a success and I want it extended right across Rossendale borough as they have done in Bolton.

"I can't see any reason why anyone should have the right to walk down the street swigging a can of lager.

"If we institute the ban it will be much easier for the police who will be able to arrest the youngsters for drinking on the street."

Community Support Officer Nick Stratton, who represented the police at the meeting, also moved to reassure residents living in the area that tough action would be taken. He urged locals to log every incident with police to help them to step up patrols.

One upset resident of Hammond Avenue, who asked not to be named, said at the meeting: "It's got so bad that I actually dread coming home from work in fear of what's going to happen each night.

"We can't tackle the youngsters about the nuisance they cause because they just retaliate and cause damage to our property."

PCSO Stratton, added: "Since March we had only six logged calls about problems in Hammond Avenue.

"Clearly the problem is much worse than this. Policing is demand-led and for the inspector to allow an operation to take place he needs to see evidence that there is a significant problem."

He assured residents that for the time being police would increase patrols in the area in a bid to crackdown on the juveniles and said police could consider implementing acceptable behaviour contacts.

Stacksteads councillor Christine Lamb said: "It's not just a police and council issue. It's up to parents to control their children.

"Some of these kids who are out drinking in the streets are just 10 and 11. It's not the off-licences' fault because 18-year-olds are going in and buying it for them.

"This is a real problem for the residents living in these areas, it's the street from hell, which needs special attention from the police."

The next meeting has been scheduled to take place mid-August.