GANGS of youths spoiled the hot weather for scores of families as East Lancashire sizzled through its hottest day of the year.

Pubs and off-licences recorded high sales and events, including the Arts in the Park music jamboree in Blackburn's Corporation Park, clocked up record turnouts.

But police and fire crews were left to mop up hundreds of complaints about troublesome youths.

Firefighters also dealt with rubbish and deliberate car fires over the weekend.

And officers warned that sneak thieves and burglars were taking advantage of the hot weather to target people's homes. According to the Manchester Meteorological Office, temperatures soared to 28C (82F), making it the hottest day so far this year.

And experts expect the country to bake this week, possibly melting the record for the highest temperature since August 1990, 98.6F.

Problems reported included kicking footballs and cricket balls against property, children ignoring safety warnings not to mess about in canals and swim in reservoirs, playing on railway lines, disrupting people in supermarkets and on car parks as well as stone throwing.

Inspector Stuart Bruce said: "There were hundreds of calls over the weekend, which is an inherent problem with hot weather.

"The problem has never been cured and it is a very difficult one to solve when youths act in a less than appropriate manner.

"However there are many efforts being pushed by councils to combat these problems and the Arts in the Park is a prime example of activities these youths could be involved in."

Burnley, Padiham and Nelson were hit with a spate of sneak-in thefts and Burnley chief inspector Richard Morgan said: "It's always a bit more difficult to keep your property secure in summer because of the temptation to fling open doors and windows during the hot weather.

"However, I would urge people not to leave doors and windows open unnecessarily, for example when they leave the house, and to keep their door secure at all times -- even when they are in the house.

"It can take just a matter of minutes for a thief to sneak in and steal something so please keep your property secure."

Leading Firefighter Steve Boyne of Blackburn, said: "Light nights give rise to children being out later and that can bring about incidents of nuisance fires."

In Darwen, the problems of youths centred on grass fires and rubbish fires with five incidents on Saturday behind the Access Point in Duckworth Street.

Leading firefighter Michael Angland added: "When children break up from school there is always an increase which has been coupled with hot weather."

For many businesses, the hot spell is good for business, with pubs across East Lancashire boasting full-to-bursting beer gardens.

Derek Haworth, chairman of Blackburn Licensed Victuallers Association, said: "The best thing about the hot weather is everyone is in a good mood and relaxing.

"During the day a lot of people have barbecues but at night-time trade is definitely up."