TEENAGE bullies are terrorising a pensioners' bowling team by constantly hurling abuse at them as they play.

Thugs as young as 11 and 12-years-old sit and shout at the B-team who play twice a week at Green Park bowling green in the Ewood area of Blackburn.

Some players have had bags and purses stolen and the bowling green has been repeatedly vandalised.

Team captain Kathleen Farrimond says some team players are getting too frightened to carry on playing.

"It is just dreadful," she said. "We have put up with vandalism and abuse for a long time but it really came to a head when a gang of 17 and 18 years-olds sat on the bench and shouted abuse at us all the time we were playing.

"I can't repeat what they were saying.

"Then a group of much younger children joined in. They were only about 12 years old."

As the team were leaving the park, the youths surrounded one of the member's cars and threatened to smash the windows.

The park is also being used by people taking drugs and drinking.

Disgusted team members have called the police and written to Blackburn Council and MP Jack Straw.

A spokesman for Blackburn Council said park rangers operated among all the parks in the borough and added that the successful Park Watch scheme could be extended to Green Park in the future.

The position for the Mill Hill community police beat is currently vacant.

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