KNIFE-wielding youngsters left residents cowering in fear as they prowled through the streets of a quiet Leyland estate.

Dozens of children, mainly teenagers but some as young as 10, shocked locals by waving coshes and knives as they roamed along the Chorley Old Road district of Clayton-le-Woods.

Terrified locals claim they were also carrying snooker balls wrapped in socks - and the incident isn't a one-off.

One resident told the Citizen: "It has gradually got worse around here. I couldn't believe it when I saw them walking through the park.

"They were obviously drunk and looked as they were looking for trouble. I just turned round with my dog and ran home.

"I have never seen anything so frightening in my life."

He added: "Later, I heard them screaming racial abuse. The police need to do something to stop this before yet another area becomes a no-go zone at night."

Residents claim the yobs had wandered down from nearby Whittle-le-Woods, which is well-known locally as a hang-out for youths.

People living in that area claim drug-taking is rife and that their gardens are often destroyed by the thugs.

Gangs from the hamlet, and others from Astley Village, have also been blamed for a bottle fight in Chorley town centre a fortnight ago.

A police spokesman said: "In a recent incident, no weapons were found on the youths but they were found nearby.

"Abusive and threatening behaviour count as crimes, and we will take action.

"The age of criminal responsibility is 10 and we will investigate any complaint we receive."

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