A GANG of 60 drunken youths have been running wild in a residential area between Burnley and Brierfield, police said.

Officers believe that parents of the children have even been dropping them off around Kibble Bank, Higher Reedley Road and Hibson Road.

As part of a crackdown on yobbish behaviour, police will this weekend be on patrol around the area filming anyone causing anti-social behaviour on camera.

It follows a number of reports from worried residents last Friday and Saturday night of up to 60 youths hanging around the area drinking alcohol and fighting.

Sergeant Mick Nichols said "We have got information that parents are taking children there from as far a field as Colne and Burnley. We want to appeal to stop these people taking their children there.

"It is causing a lot of distress to residents in the area.

"We are going to be proactively patrolling this weekend with a video camera aimed at getting evidence against anybody using anti-social behaviour in the area.

"It is something which started last weekend. It is something we want to nip in the bud."

Coun Tonia Barton, whose ward covers the area to be targeted, backed the police's tactics.

She said some parents could be tricked into thinking they were dropping their children off at friends, but urged them to ensure they knew where their children were.

Coun Barton added: "I think the action is brilliant. The majority of kids are decent people but, unfortunately, the vocal minority think they have the right to make people's lives a misery.

"I am disappointed at the parents. The parents bringing children from Burnley and Colne would not like it on their doorstep.

"They have a responsibility to know where they are."