A PENSIONER claims his life is being made a misery by gangs of teenagers congregating outside his home and throwing stones at his windows.

And former Lancashire county darts player Wilf Barton, who was also the first-ever winner of the Star's own prestigious competition in 1976, says the situation is now so bad that he wants to leave the council house which he has lived in for the last 20 years.

The 66-year-old bachelor told the Star: "There is a gang of kids, none of them older than about 15, and they always seem to be hanging around outside my house. They mess about with the street lamp until it goes out and then they start throwing stones at my front window.

"It has got so bad that I can't close my curtains anymore because I'm worried that as soon as I do a brick will come flying through! The whole thing is making me ill."

And he added: "I have been to the police and reported the problem but the gang are still hanging around. I wonder if their parents know what they are getting up to every night."

PC Alan Leap, the community officer for Billinge, said: "I have spoken to Mr Barton about this problem in the past and it seemed to disappear for a time when we increased the police presence in the area. However, if it has flared up again, I will gladly give him another visit and see if we can sort out the problem.

"If anyone in the area knows the identities of these youths, I will make inquiries at their homes and speak to their parents.

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