IT'S getting quite dark and the last blue-grey flecks of sky are falling away behind the Tower.

The bright lights of your bus disappear round the corner and you have 300 yards to the warmth and safety of your home.

It's not far, but ahead there's a group of youngsters gathered round the dimmed lights of the now-closed corner shop. They're kicking a ball around. They're noisy. A bit of pushing and shoving.

Deep breath. Cross the road. Don't look. Scurry past. There's a shout; someone's shouting at you. Head down. Don't look up.

"Nice night," says the voice. Ignore it. Press on.

How many folk, certainly the elderly, have found themselves in this sort of situation recently; those that dare venture out after dark?

Darwen is no different to a thousand communities, but here the much-maligned local bobbies are looking at the problem of anti-social behaviour from a different angle. They are actively trying to get youngsters involved.

Yes, of course, they tour the trouble spots - the late-night shop fronts, the parks, the bus shelters - and break up rowdy groups who may have been drinking alcohol. They respond as quickly as they can to calls from anxious people.

Monthly PACT meetings - Police And Communities Together - have been largely successful in Darwen. Meetings give local folk the chance to meet the neighbourhood policing team and have a say on how the area is policed. The recurring complaint has been about groups of rowdy youths drinking.

Phil Hambly is a community copper who looks after the south end of town. "Don't put up with anti-social behaviour," he tells everyone. "Ring us. We'll do our best to get round. And we won't come knocking on your door. Don't hesitate."

Not all kids who gather on the street corner are intent on getting legless or stoned on God-knows-what, while making themselves a damned nuisance. Many are just bored; they may feel there's nothing to interest them in their area.

Now, police are trying a new approach. Community support officers and a local community youth group have come up with Youth PACT meetings where Darwen kids will have the opportunity to air their grievances, moan about the lack of facilities and generally let off steam.

The first meeting was a success at the north end of town and a second - in a "safe-haven" bus borrowed for the evening - is lined up for Wednesday, October 24, at the entrance to Whitehall Park.

Says Phil: "We hope that getting youngsters involved will go a long way towards reducing anti-social behaviour in Darwen. We want to give teenagers a voice."

So kids. Don't just slouch around, moaning. Climb aboard and have your say.