Police in Darwen have seized 79 bottles of beer, 80 cans of lager, 12 bottles of cider, six bottles of vodka and other alcohol from young people in recent weeks.

And most of it was taken from youngsters in Sunnyhurst Woods.

One 18-year-old had to be rescued from the river running through the woods and taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital after falling in while he was drunk on March 31.

The Friends of Sunnyhurst Woods are now joining police on the patrols, which will take place every night this week.

The Friends were holding their annual spring clean of the woods today so are determined to keep the area in a good condition.

Insp Andrea Bradbury said: "The Friends want young people in the woods but they don't want the damage they have caused."

A Police and Communities Together meeting for north Darwen residents taking place tomorrow tonight will discuss the wider issue of problem youths and anti-social behaviour in the community. The meeting will be held at 6.30pm at Earcroft Children's Centre in Monton Road.