NUISANCE families will be asked to sign written contracts promising to behave as part of a new scheme targeting troublemakers.

And the residents will be warned they face eviction and prosecution if they continue to cause trouble.

The move is part of a drive to improve Burnley's communities and encourage unruly people to be good neighbours.

Four districts of Burnley -- Burnley Lane area of Daneshouse, Brunshaw, Burnley Wood and Leyland Road -- are targeted as the town's first community action areas, in the new initiative spearheaded by police, the council and agencies.

The anti-social behaviour contracts will be monitored by police and will be aimed at families who have been involved in disturbances. If they abide by the agreement they will have a guarantee of no further action but, if they don't, they could face severe anti-social behaviour orders or eviction.

The aim is to create action plans to bring communities together, to combat problems such as anti-social behaviour, vandalism, litter and concerns on empty houses.

Local schools and residents will also be brought in to be part of the action groups, to improve the quality of life in the districts.

Inspector Steve Hartley, of Burnley police, said: "It is a medium term part of our plans to address problems, and we want to involve the community more than we have been doing."

He said the introduction of the anti-social behaviour contracts had worked well in one pilot area, in London, where everyone who signed kept faith with the agreement.

Mr Hartley said the contracts amounted to a last chance oppoprtunity for problem families to behave, and were just one part of the greater number of powers available to police and other agencies in tackling neighbourhood nuisance.

Burnley Council community safety officer Adrian Leather said: "We are obviously happy to give our support to any initiative which assists communities to address the problems of community safety and crime and disorder."