TALKS to set up regular activity sessions for people in a bid to clampdown on anti-social behaviour have begun.

A group of Barnoldswick volunteers aim to provide free events on the back of a recent spate of antisocial behaviour.

The aim is to introduce ‘engaging’ projects such as music nights and make up sessions.

One of the group’s members, Cllr David Whipp, who represents Craven on Pendle Council, said the team, who do not yet have a name, will be meeting within the next few weeks to take the idea forward.

He said: “We want to provide positive activities for young people to take part in.

“Because of government cuts, young people’s services are being withdrawn.

“We believe there should be lots of positive engaging things for them to take part in.

“The group has met with young people to find out what sort of things they want to do and how we can sort it out.

“Doing something like this is part of the answer, it is part of a range of things which can continue to minimise the anti-social behaviour.”

Among the incidents a 20-year-old maple tree was stripped of its bark in Valley Gardens in the town last week.

Other complaints had been received by police about a motorcycle being seen ridden dangerously with people on the back earlier this year.

Cllr Whipp said the initiative has had backing from Lancashire County Council.

He said: “We have looked at the civic hall and are in talks with securing the site for evening sessions.

“This isn’t reinventing the wheel but we hope this can be the start of something bigger.

“We’ve got a handful of people who have already taken it upon themselves to help out.”

Debbie Duffell, the county council’s head of the wellbeing, prevention and early help service, said: “We support this new initiative, led by Barnoldswick Town Council, which will ask the young people themselves what provision they would like to have in their local area.

“Although ideas are still at a very early stage, we are excited to see what develops and how the young people who live there can benefit from this initiative in the future.”