Fires were set, fences damaged and hanging baskets trashed in two separate incidents over the Easter weekend involving groups of youths.

On Friday evening a group of teenagers lit a fire underneath the pagoda at Whalley Cricket Club using wood they'd taken by damaging a number of benches and smashing up fences.

The youths were spoken to by the police and moved on, but it is believed they returned later in the evening and caused more damage.

In a second incident, on Sunday evening, a different group of youngsters were caught on CCTV smashing up hanging baskets outside the Spar shop on George Street, which had been put there by community group, Whalley in Bloom.

Hanging baskets outside the Spar in Whalley were smashed, and a group of teens had lit a fire in the pagoda at Whalley Cricket Club

Hanging baskets outside the Spar in Whalley were smashed, and a group of teens had lit a fire in the pagoda at Whalley Cricket Club

Sgt Kev Day of the Ribble Valley Police explained that both groups of youths had been spoken to.

He said: "Anyone with information about the incident at Whalley Cricket Club on Friday evening is asked to get in touch with the police, as it is believed these youths were from out of the area.

"The incident on Sunday evening involved a different group of children, all of whom have been spoken to.

Hanging baskets outside the Spar in Whalley were smashed, and a group of teens had lit a fire in the pagoda at Whalley Cricket Club

Hanging baskets outside the Spar in Whalley were smashed, and a group of teens had lit a fire in the pagoda at Whalley Cricket Club

"The boy who smashed the hanging basket actually contacted the owner of the Spar and said he would pay for the damage caused.

"The other two boys who were with him will take part in some litter picking in the area."

On Monday morning, members of the Whalley Lions cleared up the mess from the Spar car park, but Cllr Ged Mirfin who represents Whalley and Painter Wood said that large gangs of youth were making life a misery for residents, particularly after dark, and called for an enhanced police presence in the village, as well as additional CCTV.

Cllr Mark Hindle, who also represents Whalley and Painter Wood said: "The behaviour of some young people is getting out of hand.

"Walking round the village the stench of cannabis is pungent in certain locations as gangs of youths brazenly smoke it in front of you.

"The amount of discarded drug paraphernalia is becoming a real cause for concern.

Hanging baskets outside the Spar in Whalley were smashed, and a group of teens had lit a fire in the pagoda at Whalley Cricket Club

Hanging baskets outside the Spar in Whalley were smashed, and a group of teens had lit a fire in the pagoda at Whalley Cricket Club

"The Cricket Club has been targeted several times before by thieves and vandals and is the last thing we need in the present circumstances as sporting venues in the village look to open up more fully on April 12."

However, Sgt Day said many of the youths involved were merely bored, and hoped the launch of a new youth club at Whalley Abbey on Monday April 12 would help alleviate some of the anti-social behaviour.

The youth club will cater for children aged eight to 18 and will initially operate seven days a week from 6pm onwards.

Details and information can be found on their Facebook page @whalleyyouth.