A COLLEGE chief has promised to crackdown on the problems of noise, litter and speeding cars which residents say is blighting their lives.

Roy Whittle, head of Bolton Sixth Form College, vowed to help residents after they told him at a public meeting that their children were not safe outside their own houses in Lever Edge Lane because of speeding cars and abuse from youths hanging around outside.

It was suggested by residents that when the college is open it is like living on a motorway, and when it is closed it is a different area altogether.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told the meeting: "This used to be a nice area to live in, and we want to make it that way again.

"That means not having our neighbours afraid of going out of their houses, not keeping our children locked up, and if we want to listen to loud music, we will play our own."

Police chiefs also informed residents they are considering providing full time on site patrols by uniformed officers, but do not currently have the resources to do so.

Mr Whittle told the residents that he was sympathetic to their situation and that he did not condone the behaviour of the students and their friends.

He promised a "firm and positive response".