By SARAH HARKER

SHOPPING trolleys, bottles and empty cans are being hurled off a bridge on to the path of oncoming cars by drunken yobs in Longbarn.

Gangs of youths have been congregating in the evenings on the 'pink bridge', above the expressway leading to the M6.

Ward councillor Mike Howard, who alerted the police to the incidents, said: "On at least one occasion a trolley had been thrown from the bridge. We need to highlight the danger of these stunts, otherwise something fatal could happen here.

"Someone could be seriously injured or even killed as a result of this behaviour."

Sgt Derek Jones, from Risley Police Station, said they had received several reports of yobs hurling items off bridges at oncoming cars.

He said: "These are very serious incidents. Anything dropped from a bridge can have fatal consequences. Even if a car is only travelling at 30mph, if hit by something hurling from a bridge there could be a disaster."

He added that if the offenders were caught, they could expect a custodial sentence.

Residents of Blackburne Close, which the bridge leads on to, have made a string of complaints about youths coming from the bridge and fighting in the street, drinking and vomiting.

Sgt Jones added: "The real problem here is underage drinking. The kids gather there, drink themselves into a stupor and throw empty cans and bottles from the bridge."

Clr Mike Howard has teamed up with council youth worker Ann Anders in attempt to tackle youth problems.

Ann said: "We have a group of young people meeting at Longbarn Community Lodge on a regular basis. Youth workers have been working out on the streets with the young people looking at the positive things we can do."

Anyone with information about the incidents should contact Sgt Jones at Risley Police Station on 652222.