GINNELS used for drug dealing, prostitution and as getaway routes from burglaries, could soon by blocked off thanks to new government legislation.

Town Hall bosses are to be given new powers to tackle alleys and paths behind houses which are currently protected as legal rights of way.

The moves will allow council chiefs to close them off if it is believed they are being used by criminals, drug takers and louts or used as dumping grounds for litter.

A pilot scheme, which closed off the alleyways in Liverpool, saw burglaries drop by a third. house prices in the area also rose.

Cllr Guy Harkin, executive member for environment, said ginnels could provide access for burglars, havens for drug dealers and an easy escape route for offenders.

He said: "New powers will be very welcome as it has been very difficult to seal off these ginnels in the past.

"Crime in alleyways has been a major problem for a long time and we get a lot of requests to close them.

"A lot of Bolton's estates were built when drug related crime wasn't a problem but it has now met epidemic proportions."

Funds will be provided to local authorities under Operation "Gate-it" to turn some of the areas into playgrounds or to grass others over.

Residents could also be given cash to fence the area, retain keys and install lighting.

Janet Bianchi, of the Haulgh Community Partnership, welcomed the move saying prostitutes had used backstreets to solicit business in her area.

She said: "There are one or two streets in the Haulgh which would certainly benefit from this scheme if the residents were in agreement.

"We certainly welcome these measures and hope the council will implement them where appropriate."

A Home Office report said: "Alleyways can be a focal point for anti-social behaviour and environmental decline.

"Local communities want to take action to turn them into a community space."