YOUNGSTERS in the Sudellside area of Darwen are breaking down barriers between elderly people and youths by adopting a granny.

They are planning to visit elderly neighbours to help them with chores or keep them company as part of a scheme run by police and Youth Works Blackburn aimed at tackling juvenile nuisance.

Lesley Scott, of Youth Works Blackburn, said: "A group of youngsters suggested the 'adopt a granny' plan at one of our meetings. They hope to reduce the level of phone calls made about juvenile nuisance and create a positive relationship. Some girls at the meeting said it was hard for elderly people to get out, especially during bad weather, so they suggested they could go and visit their 'adopted' senior citizen once a week or once every couple of weeks.

"One of the girls said her grandma got quite lonely on her own.

"A lot of elderly people frown upon youths when they hang about near houses, so the young people said they wanted to go to their homes and talk about what it is like to be a young person today.

"It is nice to see that they want to build bridges and make things better."

Youth workers and police hope other local children will get involved in the scheme.

Some residents have welcomed the idea. Irene Walkden, 77, of Anyon Street, said: "There are a lot of teenagers round here so it would keep them out of trouble. We get a lot of youngsters at the back of our house jumping over the wall near our yard and a bottle was smashed near our back gate in the middle of the night. If it helps to stop people hanging around and builds relationships then it's a good idea."

Neighbour Elsie Barker, 65, was a little more sceptical. She said: "It sounds like a good thing in theory, but it depends on whether the elderly people will trust youngsters to come into their houses."

Youth involvement officer, PC John Chapman, said: "The senior citizens have a day at the Sudellside Community Centre. We hope to take some of the young people to meet them."