GANGS of youths who invade a Ribble Valley town are to be targeted in a police crackdown.

Large gangs of youths gather on the streets of Longridge on Fridays and Saturdays causing a nuisance for residents.

Police believe the youngsters are coming from nearby Ribbleton, one of Preston's most notorious districts that lies on the road leading out to Longridge.

A police spokesman said: "A lot of kids are going over there drinking and causing a nuisance.

"We are going to form an operation over the next few weekends to target the problem. It will be based from Clitheroe and will hopefully make them realise it's not worth it."

Longridge was one of the first towns in Lancashire to implement a ban on drinking alcohol on the streets, which aimed to tackle anti-social behaviour associated with drinking.

A Ribble Valley Borough Council spokesman said the council was aware of the problem but did not believe it was "any worse now than in the past."