A CITIZEN report on canal-bank thugs has prompted a campaign to stop the waterway turning into a no-go area.

In January we revealed how people were becoming too scared to venture on to the towpath in parts of Burnley and Pendle because of gangs of stone-throwing, abusive youths.

One fisherman was thrown into the water and several canal-users reported cases of threatening behaviour.

Now the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) wants all law-abiding folk to begin a fight-back.

The first move will probably be for anglers, boaters, residents, police and councillors to meet and draw up a plan.

But the IWA's local spokesman, Derek Humphreys, says it could be years before things improve.

He told the Citizen: "This situation is very worrying indeed. In some parts of the North West, the canal has become a no-go area, and I am very distressed about what is happening locally.

"Some of the children are as young as eight and nine. Society needs to give them something worthwhile to do. It is an issue which should concern everybody."

He blamed the problem on poverty, poor discipline and irresponsible parents.

"The canal passes through some very deprived areas," he said. "And it is in those areas where problems are worst.

"There is no excuse for it, but there is no quick fix. Until something is done about the root causes, there will always be a problem.

"For now, punitive measures are the only option.

"I feel there is no hope for the present generation. Something must be done now to improve things in future."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.