FRIGHTENED residents are calling for a clampdown on youths who are causing chaos on an isolated car park.

People living in a row of cottages close to the Horrobin car park in North Turton say they have been threatened and abused by young thugs.

They also claim youngsters in cars are holding late night parties and taking drugs outside their homes.

North Turton Parish Council has taken up the residents' case and is calling on the police and North West Water, the owners of the land, to take action.

The problem has been going on for over a year and will be discussed when the parish council meets today.

Chairman David Smith has been in close contact with the residents of Lees Cottages.

He said: "It seems that young people have taken to driving to the car park and holding open air parties into the small hours of the morning. There have also been reports of people taking drugs on the car park. "As well as causing a disturbance, some residents have been threatened and one woman was stopped from trying to get into her home.

"One of the residents has also suffered from racist abuse and people living in the cottages want something done about the situation.

"We have no idea where these people are coming from but someone should do something to stop them using the car park for their gatherings."

A spokesman for North West Water said: "Basically we are in a difficult position because there is a split in the residents about what should be done with the car park.

"The car park provides access to the cottages and the road needs to be kept open for the emergency services.

"We are aware there have been problems in the car park for some time and the police have been monitoring the situation."

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