AN EMPTY pub is bringing misery to neighbours as yobs congregate around it almost every night.

The Volunteer in Bromley Cross has been left empty by its new owners and has become a magnet for fly-tippers and gangs of youths.

Police chiefs and the fire service have warned the owner that the pub, in Darwen Road, Bromley Cross, was being vandalised and set on fire.

Although the windows have been boarded up and some of the refuse removed, nearby residents say the pub's car park is still being used by youngsters who gather to drink at weekends.

"Most of these kids aren't even from Bromley Cross," said one resident, who asked not to be named.

"They come from all over the place to drink and then start smashing the pub up for fun.

"It's also become a local tip and I've seen people drive up in the middle of the night with vans to dump rubbish."

The pub was closed last year after it was taken over by businessman Ziaul Islam Choudhury, who plans to turn it into a restaurant.

Mr Choudhury was refused permission to keep the premises open until 1.30am at a planning committee meeting last year when residents described the pub as a "living nightmare for the last 14 years".

Sgt Leon Jacobs said police were aware of problems and had advised Mr Choudhury to make the building secure.

"Even after the building was secured, we have had problems with fly-tipping and with youths gathering but we are committed to dealing with both issues," he said.

"We have been in touch with the new owner who has told us that renovation work will be completed by the end of January."

Cllr Norman Critchley said: "There was rubbish all over the site and it was a real mess.

"There was a skip on site until the start of this week and a load of the building materials had been strewn across the car park by yobs.

"I've asked the local authority that if the work does not get finished to use powers to resolve the problems and charge that to the new owner."

Mr Choudhury was unavailable for comment.