COUNCILLORS are calling for a meeting with police in a bid to save a Blackburn park from grip of a group of thugs.

The three councillors for the Roe Lee area of Blackburn want officers and council officials to take action to sort out Roe Lee Park -- and make it safe for the community to use again.

Bowlers who use the crown green facilities there have become a target for the gang of youngsters, who have run across greens during games, churned up the grass and even stripped off in front of the elderly players.

Last weekend, they picked up a pole and rammed it through the doors of toilets used by the bowlers -- leaving them out of order until the council can repair them.

The bowlers have now resorted to taking pictures of the youngsters, in a bid to supply the police with evidence.

Coun David Pearson said: "The toilet incident is the latest in a series of problems to beset Roe Lee Park. As councillors, we have had complaints of drugs being sold, teenage vandalism problems and now local people are frightened of letting their children play in the park.

"We have had numerous complaints and we are asking the police and council chiefs to meet with us to see if something can be done."

He added: "We want the park to become the nice area it used to be so it can be enjoyed by everyone."

Elizabeth Whitaker, secretary of the Roe Lee Ladies Bowls Club, based in the park, told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph in April how the players had started using disposable cameras to catch the troublemakers in the act.

She said: "We are about to get the first film developed. We have them doing all sorts of things, including pulling a 'moonie' at us.

"The problems are just as bad as they were, nothing has improved. We are glad this meeting is being organised because we do need something to be done.

"They wrecked the toilet and are continuing to disturb our games. One solution might be to trim the hedges in the park so people can see into the park and call the police if anything is going on."

A spokesman for Blackburn Police said he was not aware that they had been approached about a meeting but added: "We are aware of the problems being experienced on Roe Lee Park and are happy to work with local people to see what can be done."

"We will be happy to follow up any evidence which is produced to us. But we would urge people not to place themselves at risk and to be careful about what they do."