IDENTICAL twin girls have been given an interim anti-social behaviour order after complaints from residents about their 'nuisance and drunken behaviour'.

Ashleigh and Katie Lynch, both 19, of Fairfield Avenue, Edgeside, accepted the interim ASBO and it will be decided in July if they should be placed under a full order.

Lancashire Constabulary solicitor Luke McGrath told Rossendale mag-istrates that there were police statements, which contained the history of problems with the twins that the application was based on.

He said they ranged from complaints within the family unit, to complaints from local residents and to fixed penalty notices and convictions.

Mr McGrath said: "You will also see statements from four residents from the locality where they live.

"They can be passed over today but they are complaints of nuisance and drunken behaviour."

Defence solicitor Janet Sime told the court she still needed to go through some of the evidence with the girls and that they were only accepting the interim order and were not accepting everything, or admitting anything.

The interim ASBO bans the girls from using, or inciting any other persons to use, threatening, abusive, insulting or disorderly behaviour, likely to cause harrassment, alarm or distress to any people.

It is also bans them from being drunk in a public place, drinking alcohol in a public place, or carrying an open container of alcohol in a public place.

Making the temporary order, chair of the bench Anne Cheetham, said: "You have an awful lot at stake so when you get your order read it carefully and make sure you comply.

"I hope that you realise that you have gone through every community penalty before coming to this court.

"This is your last chance."

Speaking after the hearing, Waterfoot police community support officer Nick Stratton said he welcomed the interim ASBO.

He said: "Lancashire Police are determined to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.

"I hope this acts as a warning message to other people that we will use every tool possible to target those responsible for anti-social behaviour in the community and in doing so improve the quality of life for those people living in the surrounding areas.

"I would like to thank the residents who have helped us get the interim ASBO by providing statements and reporting incidents."

The defence asked the court for reporting restrictions to be put in place at the hearing but the application was dismissed by the bench.

The interim ASBO lasts until July 20 when the twins are due to appear before Reedley Magistrates for their full hearing.