TWO East Lancashire MPs have clashed over the use of Anti Social Behaviour Orders just a week after one was granted to an 11-year-old troublemaker.

Greg Pope and Home Office Minister John Denham have hailed Jack Straw's ASBOs as a success as new research revealed many more have been issued than previously thought.

Total number taken out is now 466 instead of 282.

But Hyndburn MP Mr Pope has clashed with Ribble Valley's Nigel Evans over the Tory front bencher's claims they are a failure.

Last week a magistrate in Blackburn slapped an ASBO on an 11-year-old boy from Clitheroe after hearing how he had terrorised in his neighbourhood by throwing bottles at windows, kicking cars and shouting abuse.

Blackburn MP Mr Straw introduced the ASBOs -- which allow police to take out civil law injunctions against persistent offenders -- when he was Home Secretary.

They were based on his experience in his Blackburn constituency.

At first there was a slow take-up but now Mr Denham says the ASBOs are increasingly popular.

Mr Denham said: "It is clear that these orders have a significant role to play in tackling anti-social behaviour. A review of their effectiveness will soon be completed and we will be looking to enhance their use."

Since their introduction in April 1999 ASBOs have been used successfully in a variety of cases and have made a real difference for the better in people's lives'' But Mr Evans said: "This is still a very low number of orders to be issued both nationally and in Lancashire.

"They are not seen as an effective tool for tackling these young yobbos. Jack Straw's pet project is not working. If police and local authorities had confidence in them, far more cases would be taken to court.''

But Mr Pope hit back: "Nigel is just wrong. More ASBOs have been taken out in my constituency than anywhere else in the country -- eight at the last count.

"They are very popular here. Not only are they effective in dealing with the young people named they are also a very effective in deterring others from anti-social behaviour."