RESIDENTS in De Lacy Drive, Tonge Moor, claim yobs from outside their area are responsible for laying booby traps for passing motorists.

They were responding to claims made by a private hire driver who told the BEN he was refusing to take fares from customers in De Lacy Drive and Entwistle Street, because of the dangers posed by gangs of children throwing missiles at his vehicle.

But today the boss of the Tonge Moor Private Hire firm rubbished claims that his drivers were boycotting the two streets.

Mr Peter Frodsham denied fares would be turned down from any streets within the area.

He said: "Children throw stones on every street. This revolves around one incident which has been blown out of all proportion.

"My drivers will still be taking fares from De Lacy Drive and Entwistle Street."

At the same time, a resident of De Lacy Drive told the BEN: "Gangs of teenagers come into the street from outside this area and throw things at the cars.

"These are not our children. Our own children are intimidated of these gangs.

"We are doing everything we can to rid the area of them."

The spokesman for the residents added they were campaigning for security cameras to be used to track down the teenage yobs responsible for causing the problems.