VANDALS ran riot in Atherton early on Saturday damaging several cars in the Mealhouse Lane and Gloucester Street areas of the town.

Neighbours were awakened at around 1.30am by a gang of youths who smashed a car windscreen, tore off mirrors and windscreen wipers, clambered over a car and rampaged, shouting and screaming, through Rosedale Avenue, Alma Street and Edale Close.

One angry resident said: "Something needs doing. Gangs of teenagers are meeting up around Atherton Park and the high school and, fuelled by drink, are running riot. A lad who chased after them was beaten-up.

"We called the Police at 1.40am but couldn't get through to an operator until 2.30pm. We didn't ring the emergency number because it wasn't a life or death situation.

"I've been in touch with local councillor Bob Splaine and he is urging the authorities to put a stop to this hooliganism."

A Police spokesman said: "If offenders are still on the scene people should ring 999."