A NEW scheme to tackle illegal scramblers in Ramsbottom and Tottington has been hailed a success by police.

Since the presence of the Greater Manchester Police Force's off-road unit in Ramsbottom, complaints regarding illegal bikers have fallen.

Whittingham Drive, Nuttall Park and disused railway line and open land in Tottington's Kirkleees Valley are popular haunts for youngsters who continue to break the law by riding uninsured motorbikes.

Their scrambling is proving to be a nuisance to nearby residents and a danger to pedestrians.

Despite cautions and warning by the police, bikers continued to scramble illegally.

To tackle the long-running problem, the specialist off-road unit was brought in to take-up the off-road fight.

Ch Insp David Bleackley said: "We haven't received any complaints since the unit has been out and about.

"The use of the off-road unit in tackling the problem has certainly been a success."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.