RESIDENTS are calling on a Farnworth youth club to "get a grip" on youngsters who attend the club at the weekend.

They claim some children as young as nine and 10 visiting Highfield Youth Club have been frightening residents in nearby Wildman Lane.

One 73-year-old lady, who was too frightened to be named, said: "It's awful here on Friday and Saturday nights.

"They bang on windows and doors, throw stones at your house, jump over the privets and basically make a nuisance of themselves.

"I suffer from a form of angina and have an irregular heart beat and their behaviour is affecting my health. My heart's going 10 to the dozen when they start."

She also claims that a few months ago one child knocked on the front door while another one came in through her back door.

"They must have been trying to distract me. Fortunately my son was here and chased them off."

She went on: "The trouble usually starts after 9pm and it makes you wonder what children that young are doing out at that time.

"I've complained to the youth club but nothing ever gets done. The situation would be improved if the youth club leaders made sure the children disperse from the area after the youth club closes."

Senior community youth worker Greg Brooks said that on Friday nights the centre is hired out to another group.

But he promised to investigate the residents' complaints.

"I will go up personally this Friday and have a word to see if we can sort it out," he said.

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