A CHURCH Minister is rallying the community in a bid to beat youngsters he claims are a constant menace.

The Rev Geoff Hartley, of Pendle Street Baptist Church, Padiham, says a gand of up to 30 teenagers gather in the church car park and drink alcohol, play football, break windows and write graffiti.

He says the problem, which is worst on Friday and Saturday nights, has been going on for 18 months ever since he joined the church.

A meeting last week was arranged by Rev Hartley attended by Padiham Mayor Coun Granville Lord and residents.

Mr Hartley said: "We have had problems here for 18 months.

"It is a constant battle to deal with the trouble caused by these people.

"We tried to put mesh on the windows because they were getting broken but that was just ripped off.

"Someone has also tried to set fire to the church building. Basically anything these youngsters can think of doing they have tried it.

"We always have to clean up all the broken glass they leave there after the weekend, in fact, not long ago a young girl cut her leg after falling off her bike because there was so much glass around."

The minister welcomed the new four new community beat bobbies for Padiham at the behaviour meeting and said he hoped they would get to grips with crime.

He said: "Hopefully they will help to make a difference."

"This situation has got beyond a joke and we really don't know what we can do about these troublemakers."

He said another community meeting was to be held on Wednesday, December 4, at Pendle Street Baptist Church.