POLICE will be asked to move against teenagers, taking over a £20,000 new children's playground after dark.

The playground, at Whitworth Festival Park, was designed for younger children. Those over the age of 14 are banned.

Whitworth Coun Eileen Kershaw told Rossendale Council she was tired of being called out at night because noisy 15 and 16 year olds were using the playground.

She said local people had complained about late night noise and disturbance and had suggested the possibility of floodlighting.

But, she said ,she was not convinced that this would be a solution as it could make the playground even more attractive to teenagers.

Coun Kershaw could not understand why a playground for small children had been equipped with a basketball ring which was a magnet for teenagers.

She added: "Some of the complaints by local residents are exaggerated but others do have a real grievance."

Leisure Committee Chairman Coun Lawrence Forshaw said the basketball ring would be moved and, as youngsters over 14 were banned from using the equipment, this was a police matter.

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