PLAIN-clothes police will patrol a Hyndburn park with video cameras, in a bid to catch drunken vandals who are ruining an historic building.

Officers have already arrested and charged two youths with criminal damage in their bid to stamp out vandalism and disorder in Mercer Park, Clayton-le-Moors.

And police are asking residents to play their part by using the park more often and reporting incidents promptly.

A letter sent to households by Inspector Bob Ford, of Great Harwood Police, asks residents to name and shame trouble-makers and help restore pride in the park.

Police have had a series of meetings with Hyndburn Council, Lancashire Youth Service, neighbourhood watch co-ordinators and community group Clayton Prospects Panel to find ways of stopping the trouble.

Hyndburn Council has applied for planning permission to improve lighting at the park's basketball and tennis courts to give youngsters somewhere to play after dark. Mr Ford police said: "There has been a lot of nuisance, disorder and damage. Mercer House, an historic mill owner's house which is within the park, has been subject to quite a lot of vandalism.

"Groups of youngsters go drinking and then cause damage, particularly to the lovely old house. We are deploying plain clothes officers with a video camera to record instances."

Hyndburn Council's parks and open spaces officer Andrew Hayhurst, said: "Windows have been broken and graffiti has been sprayed at Mercer House, which is a Grade II listed building. There have been break-ins at store buildings in the park, benches have been broken and bowling greens have been damaged. We estimate the damage at more than £5,000."

Mr Ford said: "Some community groups who hold meetings at Mercer House are considering going elsewhere. But I am appealing to community spirit and I would urge people to keep on using the park and the building."

Long-term plans to improve the situation include improving lights and litter bins, and providing better facilities for young people.

Call Great Harwood police on 01254 884800 to report incidents and 999 for emergencies.

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