RESIDENTS today demanded action to stop a group of tearaway youngsters making their lives hell.

People living in the Trinity area of Burnley say they face regular verbal abuse and intimidation by local yobbos.

They are being backed by their two local councillors who have called on the police to take immediate action.

Incidents in the Hawthorne Road, Lansdowne Close and Clevelands Road areas are said to have rocketed in the last few weeks.

And the local ice cream man has pulled out of the area after his van was rocked by thugs.

Councillors Carole Galbraith and Tony Lambert have met with new community beat officer, PC Adam Gordon, to try and resolve the problem.

Coun Galbraith said: "This is a lovely area of Burnley so it was all the more shocking to hear how young teenagers from this area behave towards their neighbours.

"I am sure the parents of these children are unaware of the upset their children are causing and I would ask parents of young teenagers from this area to keep a closer eye on them on.

"I think the problem is aggravated by the friends of the teenagers being attracted to the area and alcohol being consumed."

PC Gordon said reported incidents in the last four weeks had risen from an average of three a week to 24.

He said the police could look at issuing Anti Social Behaviour Orders -- designed to restrict the movement or activity or someone considered to be a troublemaker .

PC Gordon said: "It's by no means the worst area of Burnley but we are having problems there which we are endeavouring to tackle urgently."

He said although the half-term break and bonfire night had seen an increase in calls, the problem was still on-going.

One elderly resident of Lansdowne Close, who refused to be named, said: "The noise and language can be terrible.

"They are in White Acres recreation ground until all hours setting fires and shouting.

"Sometimes in the mornings there are empty bottles of booze all over the place. It's ruining a lovely area. We all want something done."

Councillor Lambert added: "It has been agreed that councillors will issue a newsletter which will keep residents informed of developments and also be a means of suggesting to the parents of these children that they could help by keeping a closer eye on what they get up to after tea.

"We will also be seeking a meeting with the youth leaders of the local youth club."