A BID to stamp out the yobs who plague Farnworth cemetery has been launched by tough-talking council bosses.

Urgent talks have taken place between town hall chiefs and residents on Rawson Street to drive out the louts intent on causing damage.

Neighbours say they have been blighted by a growing number of abandoned cars that have been set alight outside the cemetery gates, off Cemetery Road, Farnworth.

And they claim the area has become a haven for drug-taking and under-age drinking sessions.

Bolton Council has agreed to move the cemetery gates to Fern Street to deter gangs of youths from congregating around the main entrance.

The relocated gate will be open to the public during the cemetery's normal opening hours and it is believed it will go some way to sorting out the problem.

Cllr Noel Spencer said: "It was a very positive meeting and the residents left pleased with the outcome.

"These neighbours have been subjected to frequent nuisance behaviour that has caused a great deal of misery.

"Hopefully, this will give them a greater peace of mind and allow them to feel secure in their homes."

Some gravestones inside the cemetery have been damaged and neighbours have been subjected to verbal abuse.

The cemetery is a popular spot for residents to walk and exercise their dogs.

Residents living in Hall Street presented council bosses at the meeting with a list of incidents as evidence.

A spokesman for Bolton Council said: "The residents informed us about problems they were having with anti-social behaviour and we have worked with them to try and find a solution.

"As a result, we will be moving the gates to alleviate some of the problems that they are having.

"This work will be carried out as soon as possible."

The area around the cemetery is a well-known hangout for youths and has caused problems for residents in the past.

Three years ago, they called on the council to step up street cleansing after piles of rubbish and burnt out tyres began mounting at the cemetery entrance.

And in 1999, thieves attacked 14 graves, stealing stone kerbing sets in a night time raid.