A £100,000 bid to slam the gate on crime has been launched in Bolton.

Alleyways blighted by anti-social behaviour are to be sealed off with iron gates.

Residents will still access to the thoroughfares with their own keys, but they will be closed to gangs and drug users who loiter in them.

Work was due to start on the scheme today, with three alleyways in Great Lever - at Gregson Field, Back Peabody Street and Walton Court - and one in Farnworth, at Barwell Square, pencilled in for gates following requests from residents.

Householders in the areas where work is due to start say the alleyways have become hotspots for crime and anti-social behaviour.

The council hopes the gates will help cut down on break-ins, thefts and fly-tipping, as well as stopping gangs of youths congregating.

In a joint statement, Bolton Council's cleaner, greener, safer executive member, Cllr Elaine Sherrington, and environment executive member, Cllr Nick Peel, said: "The response from people in areas where we have already carried out schemes has been very good, with many saying that it gives them a feeling of reassurance knowing that security has been improved near their homes.

"From the feedback we've had, gating works, and has the potential to cut down on a number of crimes - opportunist or nuisance - which can be very worrying to people.

"It's also a cost-effective way of tackling crime and we will be expanding it to many other areas of the borough over the next year or so."

The four gating schemes are the first using new powers available to the council under the 2005 Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act.

They make it possible to gate alleyways without changing their status as public highways if there is persistent evidence of crime or anti social behaviour.

Bolton Council has set aside £100,000 for its gating programme, with most schemes costing about £5,000 each.

Gating is also planned this year in Horwich, Halliwell, Kearsley, Harper Green, Rumworth and The Haulgh.

Residents will be consulted before any scheme goes ahead.