NUISANCE youths who cause sleepless nights by setting off fireworks and starting bonfires will be tackled by a new patrol team.

The team of police officers will be dedicated to hunting out illegal bonfires in Darwen and tracking down people causing a danger to others.

They will also be working in co-operation with the town's fire service and Blackburn with Darwen Council's trading standards department.

Officers will also have the powers to issue fines to young people over the age of 16 who are causing criminal damage.

The operation will continue throughout October and until after Bonfire Night, which is when the most complaints are received from residents.

Any youths found with fireworks will have them taken from them and could face prosecution, and shopkeepers selling to underage children will be targeted by trading standards.

Sgt Ian Hanson, of Darwen Police, said: "We will also have the on-the-spot fines of £80 for anyone causing criminal damage and they could of course be arrested and prosecuted.

"We are hoping this crackdown will lead to less complaints this year of young people disturbing their neighbours in the run up to bonfire night."

The fire service will play a more advisory role in the operation as they have no powers of enforcement.

Chris Allen, head of trading standards and advice services at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, said: "We work closely with the police and fire service, sharing information and carry out 'mystery shopper' visits and observations across the borough to ensure the legal regulations, including new regulations, are being followed.

"All shops selling fireworks are visited by a combined team before November 5.

"Formal action is taken against anybody breaching the regulations.

"Warning posters about firework safety are also going on display."