RESIDENTS living near a Warrington park say they feel too afraid to use its amenities because of anti-social behaviour.

Dog walkers and parents say they dread visiting Bruche Park due to the presence of gangs of youths who frequent the open space to indulge in under age drinking.

In the past few weeks, vandals have set fire to litter bins, left litter including cans and bottles and set fire to trees in a nearby copse.

And park users say they are fed up with visiting the park with their children to use the play facilities only to find they have been destroyed or vandalised.

One Paddington resident, who does not wish to be named, said: "Last week my wife went to the park to walk our dog and had to turn back because she was intimidated by the large number of raucous and clearly drunk youths hanging about.

"There is no doubt that the ongoing problem has grown worse during the summer holidays and in the evenings it's a no-go area.

"I was there the other day and saw a young woman approach the play park with her children and then turn back when she saw the youths that were hanging about."

He added: "This is a family park but the majority of people are scared to use it. Sometimes there can be gangs of up to 30 hanging about drinking and shouting. It's very intimidating.

"When you do dare to walk your dog there in the daytime it looks as if there's been a festival with all the litter that's scattered about, the empty beer bottles and cans.

"The park has just been completely taken over by these youths who are simply there to cause trouble, vandalise the facilities and set fire to trees.

"It's wanton destruction and it's driving legitimate park users away."