A NEW group for the young people of Accrington has been established in a bid to combat vandalism and other youth-related problems in the area.

Members of the Emmanuel Pentecostal Church, in Oxford Street, have set up the youth group entitled Genesis for children aged 11 to 14 to join in fun activities rather than hang around the streets.

And leaders hope that by teaching Christian principles to the members as part of the meetings they will help to lead the youngsters into a more moralistic way of life. The group, led by a group of four, aged between 12 and 27, meets every Friday evening.

David Rapson, 22, of Maudsley Street, Accrington, is one of the leaders. He said: "In our area there is a lot of vandalism and crime caused by kids.

"Rather than a cool thing to do, this is a nuisance. So in addition to drama, games and other fun activities there will be the teaching of Christian morals and principles which we do feel will bring about changes. I have witnessed children who have come to church and accepted Christianity and there has been change."

The Rev Harry Richardson, minister at the Pentecostal Church, said the group had previously been run successfully in the late 1980s and early 90s but the leaders left the area and the group folded.

He said: "For the new organisation we will be focusing on younger people rather than late teens as in the past having a mixed group caused problems because different ages have different interests.

"There is also the issue that a number of young people have problems with drugs or alcohol which is disruptive.

"Sadly that behaviour is now rife, even in schoolchildren in many areas.

"Because the leaders of the group are young people themselves, the children can relate to them more easily.

"It is also important to tackle problems of this nature while they are young as by the time they are 18 or 19 the problem is more hardened."

Genesis meet at the Pentecostal Church between 7pm and 8pm every Wednesday. To find out more call 01254 397092.