Residents have been left upset and fearing for their safety after a number of people on off-road motorbikes have been spotted racing through their village.

On April 8, police received reports that scrambler bikes had been speeding through the streets of Baxenden, causing a nuisance to passers-by and affecting those living in Hurstead Street and the surrounding areas.

A police spokesperson said: "We were called to Hurstead Street, Baxenden on April 8 at around 4.30pm to reports of nuisance caused by scrambler bikes apparently speeding in the local area.

"Enquiries are ongoing."

Just eight days later, on April 16, residents took to social media to express concerns over similar activity, whereby people on off-road bikes, including a quad bike, had been seen near Back Lane and Montgomery Close, close to the Dog and Partridge Pub, before heading up Hurstead Street, which leads to a public footpath known locally as 'the lines'.

One social media user, who did not wish to be named said: "It has been reported today that nine off-road motorbikes shot up the railway lines and one was a quad bike.

"They narrowly missed adults and children and people were seen grabbing their children and animals out of the way, as they went with speed up Hurstead and the lines.

"They are lucky a very serious accident didn't happen.

"It has left neighbours in the area worried for their safety and feeling extremely upset by the ordeal."

Police have been informed about the issues, which are in breach of current Covid-19 lockdown regulations, and enquiries remain ongoing.

Insp Andrew Trotter from Lancashire Road Policing Unit said: “We are all in this together and we all need to adhere to the current Government restrictions around social distancing and non-essential travel, which means people shouldn’t be leaving the house in their vehicles for anything other than essential journeys.

"It is important that we try to ease demand on the emergency services and especially the NHS by staying off the roads in order to avoid collisions and injuries.

“Our aim is to encourage and support our communities to comply fully with the restrictions and the vast majority of people are fully complying with the guidance and advice to stop the spread of the virus.

"However when faced with non-compliance we can enforce the new Coronavirus legislation for individuals who continue to flout the rules where public health is at risk.

"Stay at Home, protect the NHS and save lives."

Anyone with information or CCTV footage should contact the police on 101, quoting log reference 1066 of April 8.