POLICE have used new powers to send nuisance youths packing from outside a Burnley pub.

Dozens of letters have been sent to parents and offending youngsters have been given Youth Referral forms in a bid to curb bad behaviour outside the Tim Bobbin pub.

Police took action following reports that large groups of youths were gathering outside the Padiham Road pub.

The area, once subject to an anti-social behaviour dispersal order, had been trouble-free for a number of months.

However, last weekend officers issued 32 Youth Referrals to children gathering in the area and sent the same number of letters home to the respective parents.

Youth Referral forms were brought in by the government to try and steer youngsters away from crime.

Youths given a referral have their details put on to a database and if they are involved in anti-social behaviour in following six months their parents and teacher are told. If they are in trouble a third time, they have to attend a meeting with teachers, parents, police and other agencies.

Police Youth Involvement Officer, PC George Holding, said: "Quite a few of the parents have contacted me as a result of the letters, most of them quite shocked that their son or daughter is believed to be potentially causing problems.

"One or two questioned what their child had actually done wrong other than just hang about with their friends, but when we explained the associated problems of gangs of youths and what such gatherings could and have led to, plus the implications once alcohol was introduced into the mix, most accepted our concerns.

"The response from the parents has been very good."

Chief Inspector Chris Bithell added: "I would like to appeal to other parents to ask them to be a little bit more intrusive when it comes to their child's whereabouts."