ROWDY gangs of school age youngsters are making life a misery for residents and drivers passing through Tyldesley town centre.

Traders' leader Mike Norris, who runs a main street diner and take-away, called for curbs after a gang of up to 50 youngsters ran riot through the town stoning passing cars.

Mr Norris, a prime mover in the campaign to get closed circuit television in the town, said: "A couple of weeks ago police took a close look at the gangs who were congregating near the Stour Road/Ennerdale shopping centre.

"Now the problem seems to have drifted in to the town centre.

"They are causing a general nuisance but what is a big concern is the way they are dashing across the main road in front of traffic. Somebody is going to get killed.

"Some of those involved aren't yet in their teens -- it's time parents made themselves aware of what their children are doing when they are out at night."

Locals who were interviewed, but wished to remain anonymous because of fear of reprisals, said they dreaded nights and weekends.

One said: "It's a nightmare. Some nights it's like the Wild West with kids running riot and throwing stones and trashing things. And at weekends when they go home it's the older vandals who take over raising hell and fighting until the early hours."

And another admitted the-morning-after-the-night-before for people with town centre homes and businesses was usually a blend of mopping up vomit and other excesses of the night before. He admitted his front door was barred like 'Fort Knox' and he had one or two surprises in store to repel would-be intruders.

He added: "I used to dread New Year's Eve -- now I hate every Friday night and weekends."

Sgt Mark Bradley of Leigh Police sub division said: "It is a problem and together with other agencies we are looking at the situation."