VANDALISM and underage drinking is blighting an area of Horwich.

Residents say a two-storey car park at the back off the Horwich Leisure Centre has attracted youths who run wild, intimidating local people.

The unruly behaviour, they say, has ruined the quality of life of residents living on the Brooklands estate in Horwich.

Now, two politicians have rolled up their sleeves to help as anti-social behaviour and crime becomes a key issue in the forthcoming general election.

Phillip Allott, the Conservative Party's parliamentary candidate for Bolton West, and Heaton councillor Bob Allen say many residents told them they have been subjected to evening sessions of on-going vandalism, underage drinking and youths running wild.

Mr Allott said the residents have been so frightened that they may suffer verbal abuse or broken windows that they do not want to be named.

He said: "During our visit to the street, it came to light that residents have been suffering from these problems for a number of months, many of them in silence.

"We have asked the council and the police to treat this matter as a priority, as no one in the community should feel intimidated. "

The main cause of the problem is an external staircase leading to the upper level of the car park. The staircase is full of debris left from drinking sessions.

Stair supports have also been vandalised and some removed, creating a potential safety risk.

Mr Allott said that he and Cllr Allen have started to clean up and bag the rubbish to send out a message to the youngsters that their behaviour is being monitored.

They have also taken the matter up with the council's Leisure Management Department and it is hoped that remedial work can be done to make the car park staircase safe in the next few days.

Mr Allott has also asked for the police to put on additional patrols to the area to ensure that local youngsters from Horwich get the message.