CUSTOade teenagers' meeting shelters could become a feature of the borough's leisure parks. Plans are in the pipeline to build more of the controversial 'Teen Meet' shelters in parks around Leigh as plans are being finalised on final details of such a scheme planned for Astley Street park in Tyldesley.

Discussions are under way between the police and local authority experts regarding where, when and how many shelters to build at Astley Street.

But residents fear they will be destroyed by vandals, increase nuisance and attract gangs of teenage troublemakers.

Sgt Dave Waddicor, of Leigh police, said: "We decided that by getting the Meets together then can have one area where teenagers can go. At least police will always know where they are and we can contact them."

But one resident, who did not want to be named, said: "Police have no control over the youth of today. They have been given orders to keep gangs of youths on Tyldesley Park and as long as they are all together they think this is all right. It's pathetic."

The plan follows a three month police crackdown on anti-social behaviour in the area -- covering hotspot areas like Bodmin Road and Stour Road. Teams of five to six police officers patrolled estates with hand-held camcorders to record teenage anti-social activity. A handful of children were taken back home to their parents.

Sgt Dave Waddicor of Leigh police station said parents were shocked when told of their children's behaviour. He told the Journal: "The huts are a good idea. We find that most of the kids hang around because they do not want youth services or to play sport -- just get together to have a chat with their mates. We have spoken to the children and they think the shelters are a good idea."

The shelters are already operating successfully at Dootson's Park in the Butts Bridge area of Leigh and a survey is planned on Westleigh's "trees" estate to gauge local opinion on a similar scheme in there. Discussions are under way between the police and local authority experts regarding where, when and how many shelters to build at Astley Street.

But residents fear they will be destroyed by vandals and attract gangs of teenage troublemakers.

Sgt Dave Waddicor, of Leigh police, said: "We decided that by getting the Meets together then can have one area where teenagers can go. At least police will always know where they are."

But one resident, who did not want to be named, said: "Police have no control over the youth of today. They have been given orders to keep gangs of youths on Tyldesley Park and as long as they are all together they think this is all right. It's pathetic."

The plan follows a three month police crackdown on anti-social behaviour in the area -- covering hotspot areas like Bodmin Road and Stour Road. Teams of five to six police officers patrolled estates with hand-held camcorders to record teenage anti-social activity. A handful of children were taken back home to their parents. Sgt Waddicor said: "We have spoken to the children and they think the shelters are a good idea."

The shelters are already operating successfully at Dootson's Park in the Butts Bridge area of Leigh and a survey is planned on Westleigh's "trees" estate to gauge local opinion on a similar scheme in there.