TERRIFIED Leyland residents are living in fear of a gang of teenagers.

Young children and elderly residents on Western Drive and Mellor Road are being kept awake at night by a crowd of girls and boys using bad language, drinking, vandalising their gardens and simulating sex.

And the residents say the police and local councillors have done nothing to stop the youths from disrupting their quiet estate.

Swilling sick off their driveways, repairing walls and collecting beer cans and chip papers has become a daily chore for many of the people.

One local resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: "We don't go out very much anymore, we can't relax and we're always on our guard waiting to see what will happen next. It used to be such a pleasant estate."

Many families with young children also feel threatened by the youths - sometimes in gangs of up to 50.

Vivienne Williamson, who has three young children, said: "I find their behaviour very disturbing. They thrown mud at the window and if you tell them to be quiet they just shout even louder."

The youths, who are not from the estate, first started hanging around the houses six months ago. Even the cold weather hasn't put them off.

Resident Andrea Johnson has had her front wall knocked over three times. She said: "The police have moved the youths on a few times but it doesn't stop them."

Insp Dave Stewart of Leyland Police said: "We always follow complaints up but this seems to be one of those recurring problems."

South Ribble councillor Bill Evans agreed that the problem needed to be adressed and sorted out soon.

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