INCIDENTS of rowdy behaviour and vandalism are being logged in a special diary by residents and parish councillors in Edgworth.

Youths aged between 11 and 16 have been gathering in the village at weekends and people living nearby are increasingly concerned. Bottles have been thrown, woodland set on fire and damage caused to the local bowling green, cricket pavilion and village hall.

Incidents recorded in the diary will be passed on to police, and anyone who sees vandalism or youth nuisance is urged to contact parish clerk Geoff Hughes. He stresses the information can be passed on anonymously.

The youths are thought to from Egerton and Bromley Cross. They drink, get rowdy and then damage private property, said Mr Hughes.

"They are absolutely crazy, throwing things around and leaving a hell of a mess behind. They've even set fire to the wooded area," he said. "We now have the diary so that it can be recorded when it happens. Residents can telephone me either at home or at The Barlow Institute. I will report back to each parish council meeting and councillors will tell me about other incidents they have heard about."

Mr Hughes described how one evening as many as 30 youths tore around the village.

"They have no respect for anything. They have been riding around on the mountain bikes on the bowling green and the cricket pavilion. They have also got in the score hut and smashed the score cards. When you try to tackle them you just get a mouthful of abuse."

Sgt Anne Scott, of Darwen police, said: "There have been incidents of juvenile nuisance and damage associated with juveniles in Edgworth. The rural police officers are addressing these issues and will be putting together an action plan to tackle the problem during the next few weeks.

"Some of the youths come over from Bolton. I think a lot go to Turton High School and some live in Edgworth and others are in Bolton and they are meeting up over here."