GUIDELINES over when to stop youngsters playing football in the street have been issued to police following complaints about budding soccer stars causing a nuisance.

But residents have been warned that impromptu matches won't be broken up for the sake of it .

Officers in Eastern Division - covering Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley - have been instructed 'not to stop children from having a childhood' despite complaints from residents - with some calling for a blanket ban on street sport.

The move comes just a week after council officers in Ribble Valley slated 'Victor Meldrews' for complaining about kickabouts even when they weren't causing any problems.

Letters are now being sent out by police community support officers to residents in certain areas, including parts of Oswaldtwistle, where recent police surgeries heard about football complaints.

Under the rules, police officers will only intervene if there is:

Deliberate and persistent kicking against windows or walls.

A large numbers of older youths involved.

Other anti-social behaviour such as swearing or threatening language involved if they youths are approached by adults.

An obvious safety issue, such as playing on a main road.

Sgt Bob Eaton, of Accrington Police, said: "Community policing is not about stopping children from having a childhood.

"Children are entitled to play and in many cases parents prefer that they play in the vicinity of their own homes.

"We do however recognise that there are times when football in the street needs to be stopped.

"Each case will be treated on its own merits."

Last week Ribble Valley Council's criticism of 'Victor Meldrews' - who, the council claimed, could be denying the next Wayne Rooney the chance to practise with his mates - was backed by football legends Ronnie Clayton and Simon Garner.

Clitheroe councillor Mary Robinson said she was aware the football in the street did cause a nuisance and added: "Sometimes residents do have concerns but often these youngsters have nowhere else to play because the same resident who moan about football in the street also oppose a new football pitch or something else nearby."