POLICE in the Ribble Valley say they are a step closer to locating the person who has been leaving nails and tacks on a busy main road, after a man was taken into custody in connection with a stalking offence.

Following the man's arrest, officers were also keen to question him about the Mitton Road nail incidents, which have been blighting motorists in Whalley since January this year.

Sgt Kev Day of the Ribble Valley Neighbourhood Policing team said: "The investigation continues, but we have only managed to get this far with the sheer determination of my team and their absolute desire to see a positive result in this case.

"The man was arrested on a stalking charge but has been interviewed under caution in relation to the tacks being left on Mitton Road.

"He's since been released pending investigation, and we have further enquiries to follow up on, but it's taken a lot of work to get to this stage."

In February, we reported that officers in the Ribble Valley had received multiple complaints from concerned motorists after nails and tacks were placed on Mitton Road in Whalley.

The items, which punctured numerous tyres over several months, were strewn across the carriageway close to Abbey Farm View.

And in March, one resident picked up close to 300 tacks, while Cllr Ged Mirfin said the situation was 'beyond a joke'.

At the time, police said: "Pease can anyone with any information contact us as this is becoming a daily occurrence which is affecting all road users using this route.

"We are keen to identify the culprit."