POLICE in Ramsbottom are to ditch patrol cars in favour of mountain bikes as part of new moves to combat gangs of youths who have been causing a nuisance.

Police patrolling the area will be able to cycle down narrow footpaths and alleyways which are inaccessible to their cars and vans.

Officers in Bacup and Stacksteads are already using mountain bikes in to access remote areas and make patrols more visible to the public.

Now two more mountain bikes have been supplied to Ramsbottom officers following a donation from local firm Cormar Carpets.

Ramsbottom Sgt Paul Tresnan said: "It's much easier and quicker for officers to get to places and it makes them more accessible to the public.

"The bikes are an extra tool in our fight against crime and will be put to good use by police officers and community support officers as they will now have the ability to get to places that cars can't reach like parks and back alleyways."

Neville Cormack, the 83-year-old founder and chairman of Cormar Carpets, handed over the bikes -- but only after he had test driven one of them around the company's car park himself.

Sgt Tresnan said: "We are very grateful for the donation and would like to thank Mr Cormack for his generosity."

Officers on patrol will be decked out in a uniform of cycling jacket, trousers and cycling helmet.

The aim is to provide a bike each for every officer who patrols area.

The bikes will be used by Ramsbottom's policing team PC Martin Chippendale, PC Jenny Holmes and PC Jayne Mann.

All the team can be contacted direct during the daytime on 0161 856 8181 .