TEENAGERS have been arrested as part of a crackdown after residents said their lives were being made hell by a "rat pack" of hooligans.

Householders in the College Close and Cambridge Drive area of Padiham say their lives have been made a misery by gangs of drinking, abusive and fence-wrecking youths.

They say the offenders gather on the two footpaths which link their homes with the Stonemoor Bottom estate and claim drug-taking is also prevalent.

Police swooped this week - making four arrests of youths aged 16-18 years for drunk and disorderly offences - and Inspector Richard Blackburn says plans are in hand for further action.

"These were not young children, but we are extremely concerned about young people being drawn into behaviour like this," he added.

Councillor Lord said the youths throw empty beer cans at homes, have ripped up fencing and shout abuse at residents. "People are afraid to go out of their homes and it is just not on." Councillor Lord said residents did not wish to be named because they feared reprisals, but were now prepared to take firm action to stamp out the nuisance which has developed over several months.

He said neighbours were calling for:-

A stronger police presence in the area.

Action by the council to close the paths which he said had brought a rat pack of villains.

Help from Burnley and Padiham Housing, understood to be landlords of some offenders, with a view to them being evicted for bad neighbourhood behaviour.

Councillor Lord said: "We have collected the names and addresses of some of the gang -- whose ages range from 13-18 years -- and have passed them onto the police and the housing company in the hope that action will be taken.

Councillor Lord said there was also evidence of drug-taking on the footpaths, with reports of deals being carried out after a vehicle regularly visits the area.

"What has gone on is simply not acceptable and there will be a real clamp-down on these people.

Councillor Lord said residents lived in fear of the 15-strong gang.

Inspector Blackburn said anti-social behaviour by youths was an area-wide problem.

"It is a problem which will not go away and one which we are actively addressing," he said.