A dispersal order has been put in place until Saturday evening after repeated incidents of anti-social behaviour in a town centre.

On Friday night, police in Rossendale issued a dispersal order in Bacup following reports that youths were damaging property in Bacup town centre.

Officers say any youths caught in the area who are asked to leave but then return will be culpable of a criminal offence.

Police will be out and about pro-actively targeting the problem areas across the weekend.

A spokesperson for the police said: "Following repeated issues around youths being involved in anti-social behaviour and damage in Bacup town centre, a dispersal order will be in place tonight (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday).

"This will create a criminal offence for anyone who is asked to leave the area who then returns.

"Please ask yourself this weekend:

"1. Do I know where my child is?

"2. Do I know who they are with and what they are doing?

"We will be proactively targeting the area and if you see youths engaged in anti-social activity you will be able to let us know by replying directly to our posts on the In The Know system."