POLICE are on the trail of young motorbike scramblers riding through a housing estate.

Worried parents have complained to police about the safety of their children after youths have been roaring along footpaths and ginnels on the Whittingham Drive estate, off Nuttall Lane, Ramsbottom.

A spokesman for Ramsbottom Township Police said that the youths on off-road bikes cut through the estate and ride on fields and woodland between the estate and Summerseat village.

He added: "These youths who ride on footpaths are breaking the law and putting people at risk. The only place they can safely and legally scramble is on private land with the owner's permission.

"We have already begun enquiries in and around the estate to identify the riders and families on the estate are keeping a special lookout to help name the culprits."

The police spokesman concluded: "In the meantime I would ask parents of young lads with motorcycles to make sure they are not allowing their sons to break the law or cause a danger to residents."

Anyone with information or seeking clarification of the law should contact Ramsbottom Township Police on 0161 856 8181.