In the worst incident workers at Leyland Lane Spar were locked inside after the yobs pulled down security shutters while other occasions they've set fire to bins.

Staff say they are regularly being intimidated by up to 30 teenagers congregating outside the shop at night who have smashed windows and vandalised nearby cars.

The case has similarities to the situation at Leyland's Tesco Extra, which has been a magnet for up to 150 youngsters to hang around on Friday and Saturday nights.

Now a meeting has now taken place between Leyland police and councillors representing the area after Spar employees warned the situation was getting out of control.

A spokesman for Spar told the Guardian: "The gangs of youths hanging around the shop are often drunk and can become abusive. They are aged between 13 and 16-years-old and when we ask them to move on they often just ignore us. We know they are only kids, but the problem is getting out of hand and it is frightening for the younger and older members of staff.

"The issue really has come to a head and we have had to install new security cameras and have now asked for the police to get involved as it is ridiculous."

• For more on this story, see this week's Leyland Guardian

What's new on chorley-guardian.co.uk
E-Supplements
Expats re-launch
Showbiz News
Free Premier league highlights