A number of teenagers were stopped in their tracks as they prepared to set a fire in a town's park.

On Saturday, police community support officers in Haslingden were patrolling in areas brought to their attention by residents as places where nuisance behaviour had been occurring.

Several youths were spotted in a park by the officers, trying to light a fire, but were swiftly stopped and dealt with.

A spokesperson for the police said: "Today police community support officers have been patrolling areas of concern regarding nuisance reports.

"This afternoon, a number of youths have been stopped for setting a fire in a park in Haslingden, this has been dealt with.

"Please ensure that you know where your kids are and what they are doing, more importantly for their own safety."