A SPORTING grandmother from Chorley is calling for more tolerance towards young people.

Disabled snooker champ Joan Cummings, of Draperfield, Coppull, says locals are labelling the teenagers as 'troublemakers'.

The European Nine Ball Pool wheelchair titleholder and top Wheelchair Games snooker player said it was time people started listening to the youngsters.

Joan -- a Chorley Sports Forum member -- said: "My oldest grandchildren, Claire and Carly, live in Coppull and Claire is always getting into trouble because of the other people on the street.

"I said to them 'you are not doing much about life -- why don't you do some sport or something?' So we had a barbecue and I let them do it themselves. I was just a supervisor."

She said: "These youngsters need a start in life and they are not getting much of one if no-one is taking any interest."

Claire Griffiths, 15, agreed with her grandmother. "It's a problem that everyone should be bothered about."

Her sister Carly, 13, added: "There is just not enough to do."

Joan appealed for support from local people to get activities up and running.

She said: "These are not naughty children, they can do things -- they just need the chance. Things just need starting at a local level." She said the problem is not just confined to Chorley.

"I think it's a widespread problem everywhere. These children have nothing whatsoever to do except get bored all day.

"There are community centres, but the youngsters have to be members and because they are rebels they get refused.

"I am surprised that someone has not come forward in Coppull and suggested getting together and doing something."

"After all, these youngsters are the parents of the future."

The call was backed by Councillor Steve Holgate, District Youth and Community Service Advisory committee member.

He said: "It is important that the youth and community service continue to provide staff and do outreach work. However it's also important that they are supported by members of the community -- for example parents who can spend one evening in a week helping.

"I am sure that the service would welcome anyone from Chorley's communities who wants to get involved," he added.