POLICE in Ross-endale have teamed up with a martial arts expert in a bid to kick out anti-social behaviour problems.

They have secured £500 from the Lancashire Partnership Against Crime (LANPAC) and the Rank Charitable Foundation to fund kick-boxing sessions for bored teenagers.

Third dan Alf Love is running sessions for youths who will train at Alf's Black Belt Academy, Toll Bar Business Park, Stack-steads.

The initiative kicked off when Alf a national World Kickboxing Association coach suffered youth nuisance problems at his caf, Webb's, in Newchurch Road, Stacksteads.

He said: "Police were excellent, keeping an eye open and moving youths on but I think it's simply a case of youths being bored. So, I decided to do something."

Alf teaches JuJitsu, Wadraru Karate and Akido as well as kickboxing. He runs the club which boasts world and national champions winning a number of gold medals; the most recent being at the World Kickboxing Champion-ships in Canada last year where the club achieved nine golds.

He is giving up his time for free to teach on Monday and Wednesday evenings and around 20 local youngsters attend each week.

He said: "Kickboxing is teaching discipline and it's keeping youths fit and healthy. It's also keeping them off the streets where they could end up getting involved in anti-social behaviour.

"It's early days, but the initiative seems to have been very well received and it's going very well."

PC Alexander Down-ham said: "Anti-social behaviour has been a significant problem in Stacksteads. We've employed a number of tactics, including the use of Dispersal Orders, but none has been completely successful.

"Long-term measures, involving the youths and local community are needed if we are to secure long term solutions.

"This initiative is excellent everyone benefits. We're grateful to Alf for giving his time and to RANK and LANPAC for funding this innovative scheme."