DRUNKEN teenagers have turned parts of a Whitefield housing estate into a no-go zone.

Terrified residents complain that a gang of under-age drinkers has stopped people using a public footpath under the Metrolink bridge between Lancaster Avenue and Mayfair Avenue because of their intimidating behaviour.

Now, after years of suffering, a 30-strong group of householders has demanded the footpath be blocked off and the youngsters' drinking den destroyed.

Mayfair Avenue resident Mr Brian Castle said: "Up until the end of last year there was a wooden fence running the length of the footpath and the teenagers, who are all of school age, would climb over and congregate on the grassed area.

"The grass is still littered with empty cans and beer bottles where they made a drinking den. In the past they have lit numerous fires under the bridge and I dread to think what would happen to the tram line above if the fire took hold."

Mr Castle praised Metrolink for replacing the fence with metal spikes but said the yobs had made their home on the footpath itself as a result. He added: "You can imagine how terrifying it is for anyone wanting to pass under the bridge at night when the gang is sprawled on the floor and using foul language. People won't use the footpath now because it is too intimidating.

"We have all just had enough," he added.

Mr Jim Elliot, whose house on Buckingham Avenue backs on to the footpath, claims he has been terrorised by the gang ever since he moved into the property two years ago.

He said: "I am a teacher and I cannot concentrate on marking because of what's going on. It is very stressful.

"They have kicked my fence down and the day after I replaced it they covered it in graffiti. My bathroom window has also been smashed."

The residents say the area is over run with rats attracted by the rubbish left by the youths and they claim the footpath is also used as an "escape route" for criminals.

Bury South MP Ivan Lewis has taken up their case and, along with council leader Derek Boden, has promised to look into the new legislation that would enable the council to close a public right of way.

He said: "It is outrageous that the decent majority of local residents are having their lives made a misery by the anti-social and unlawful activities largely focused in this footpath.

"The only solution which will stop the misuse of this area is the closure of the footpath."

Sgt John Shaw of Whitefield Police welcomed the proposals to block off the pathway, saying he was well aware of the problems.

He added: "Over the last three or four weeks we have been quite pro-active in that area and other hot spots in Whitefield. This has resulted in some arrests of the group that we know to have been responsible for causing an annoyance."

A Metrolink spokesman said the company was doing its best to help combat the problem.