A POLICE chief today issued a plea urging shopkeepers to stop selling lighter fuel to gas-sniffing teenagers.

Inspector Harry Bretherton's appeal came after a Catholic priest revealed he had recruited a team of altar guards to protect his church from yobbos during weekly confessionals.

Fr Kevin Griffin and the police believe gas-sniffing youths have been responsible for plaguing the area around St Edward's and Sacred Heart Church, in Blackburn Road, Darwen.

Fr Griffin has recruited eight volunteers to watch over the church after asking for help during Mass last weekend.

They will stand guard while confessions are being heard, each Friday between 6.30pm and 7pm.

Recently, youths have burst into the confessional box, walked around the church laughing and wandered around the altar mocking the priest and his congregation.

Insp Bretherton, of Darwen Police, said he was "acutely aware" of the problems.

He added that last week three people were arrested inside the church.

But he has called on local shopkeepers to stop selling gas lighter fuel to youngsters.

He said: "There are shopkeepers selling lighter fuel to youngsters. There is no law stopping its sale, but I would urge shopkeepers to help us by not selling it."

Fr Griffin also said lighted matches had been thrown through his front door and youths had climbed on the roof.

He said he had been constantly swore at when he had remonstrated with them.

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