AN operation to tackle increasing juvenile nuisance in Darwen town centre has been hailed a success by police and town centre bosses.

Representatives from both parties met to discuss ways forward after traders complained about large groups of up to 50 youths gathering in front of the town hall in the early evenings and intimidating customers.

Nuisance youths were also blamed for vandalism to the markets area.

Town centre manager Tony Fitzgerald, who met police Inspector Graeme Ashcroft, said: "I am satisfied that everything is hand and there has not been as big a problem recently as first reported."

Sgt Gary Dundavan said: "There were large numbers of people congregating and it was more of a problem because of the numbers involved rather than any serious incidents taking place. Over a two-week period we put a high visibility operation together with police officers in the town centre on the Friday and Saturday nights, which is mainly when they tend to gather.

"The youths were moved on and since then we have not been made aware of any problems."

Mr Fitzgerald said they hoped to build on this by providing the youngsters with something else to occupy their time.

He said: "We are also going to be widening youth involvement on the town centre board. We already have two schoolgirls but we are also getting a young boy on board too so we can incorporate more ideas to bring in more activities for the young people."