A FATHER-of-three today revealed how he had banned his children from an Earby park he has declared a 'no-go zone' after juveniles littered the area with shattered glass and condoms.

Jason Knowles, 31, of Duxbury Street, Earby, said the play area near to Birley Playing Fields off Red Lion Street had been taken over by gangs of juveniles who had destroyed the community amenity.

He said the juveniles were drinking, throwing used condoms on the park, leaving underwear in trees, starting fires, smashing bottles, and writing obscene graffiti on the play equipment.

Jason, who has three young children aged eleven-months-old, three and seven, said: "This problem has spiralled out of control since the nights have started to get lighter.

"There has been a catalogue of incidents over the past couple of weeks which are very alarming to me as a parent who takes his children to the park at weekends. I won't be allowing them to go to this park while it's in this mess. It's such a shame because it's meant for the use of smaller children not for teenagers to come and destroy it.

"I found a used condom near the infants swings, a bra hanging from the trees, a wall has been pulled down. There was also graffiti and broken glass strewn all over the place.

"I have spoken to the local beat bobby and he agrees that something needs to be done but as they only have limited resources. I have contacted the council twice.

He has now reported the problem to the police and Pendle Council.

A police spokesman said: "We are aware of the problems at the park which are being caused by a minority of youngsters.

"Our beat bobby will be working with people in the area to try and solve the problems."

Fred Stewart, Pendle Council's parks outreach officer, said: "I spoke to the youngsters on Easter Monday and they haven't been back since. We are looking at removing the graffiti and cleaning up the area but it's a problem that has got worse this year especially with the light nights and good weather we have been having."