RESIDENTS living close to two popular Leyland pubs say their lives are being made a misery by drunken yobs.

They complain that the Roebuck and the Fox and Lion, next to Leyland Cross in Fox Lane, are the focus of fighting, drunkenness and vandalism after closing time.

They claim to have suffered from revellers vomiting on doorsteps, petty vandalism and men urinating against cars.

In a recent incident a man was so drunk that he collapsed in the street and became aggressive and threatening when paramedics arrived.

But the two publicans involved deny that they have any trouble with their customers.

One worried resident of nearby Church Road, who did not want to be named for fear of reprisals, said: "One of our children is aged three and has a bedroom at the front of the house.

"In hot weather we have to leave the window open for ventilation. He has woken up to fighting and foul language in the street outside once the pubs have 'turned out'.

"This is a common occurrence. We are worried that our child will copy this behaviour thinking it is only natural."

Now people living in Fox Lane, Worden Lane and Church Road are so fed up with the situation that they have written to county councillor Michelle Edwin to see if anything can be done. And the results of a recent survey commissioned by Coun Edwin showed a deep-rooted resentment for the drunken yobs.

Coun Edwin added: "I think the residents who have to put up with this type of behaviour have a point that there is a lot of noise and a lot of anti-social behaviour with both the pubs around Leyland Cross.

"Another point is that Leyland Cross is a very dangerous corner whatever the time, day or night.

"If you come from Fox Lane by car and go around the corner, you can't see if people are crossing the road.

"This is extremely dangerous with gangs of people crossing the road going from pub to pub."

Landlady Glenis Keeley of the Fox and Lion on Leyland Cross defended the pub saying: "This pub has a fantastic record for combating violence, drugs and anti-social behaviour.

"We take a very tough stance on things such as this, but unfortunately I can only control what goes on in my pub and not what happens once drinkers leave."

Landlord Mr Ray Greenhalgh, who has run the Roebuck for the last nine years, added: "To be honest, I can't really comment because I have never received any complaints about drunken behaviour outside my pub.

"What I will say is that the people who are complaining live quite a way from this pub, and I think they are misled."