A games area in a Nelson park has been delayed after residents complained about persistent problems with drunken youths.

A couple who live next to Marsden Park, where two teenagers were left seriously ill from a heroin overdose last month, protested to Pendle Council's Nelson Committee after plans to add a games area were announced.

The pair, who asked not to be named, said huge groups of teenagers regularly spent all night at the park, damaging trees and keeping neighbours awake with constant noise.

They said they were disappointed with police response. The woman, a member of Friends of Marsden Park, said: "Up to 100 of them have been known to be there, and sometimes they stay all night. We also have reason to believe that drug dealing is going on there.

"Nothing is being done to tackle the problems. There is no CCTV and no proper fencing."

Her husband said: "If this was a private garden or farmer's field, the police would be coming down on the landowner."

Councillors agreed to defer their decision over whether to place the multi-use games area (MUGA) in the park for a site visit, to investigate other places for it in the Marsden ward.

But Coun Donna Caley said: "Just because a MUGA has been put somewhere doesn't mean that area is going to attract any more anti-social behaviour.

"If these places are surrounded by residents, there are going to be fewer problems."

Committee chairman Councillor David Foster said: "If people don't want it we will look elsewhere. I'm not saying they don't sometimes bring some anti-social behaviour but they are a good thing."

The issue will be discussed at Pendle Council's Nelson committee on May 9.