CHILDREN as young as 11 are using drugs, drinking beer and intimidating users of Darwen train station, passengers say.

But it is hoped that soon-to-be-installed CCTV could help tackle the problem.

Gillian Pimblett, 43, of Wyre Crescent was waiting for a southbound train on Friday night when a gang of six children verbally intimidated her while they drank beer and ordered friends to bring cannabis.

She said: "The 11-year-old said 'what are you doing in our shelter?' and the other said 'what are you doing out on your own?' It made me feel very uncomfortable.

"You can't even ring the police because if you go on your mobile, you're in trouble.

She said the children aged around 11 to 15 were drinking beer, spitting and swearing.

The situation was made scarier by lack of lighting due to three faulty lamps.

Warren Chapman, 39, a landscape architect from Belgrave Road, takes the train to Manchester every morning and says the station is a disgrace.

"There's evidence of these kids every morning with all the cans of beer," he said.

"They are doing all this work to make the town centre nice but the train station is a gateway into the town. It's the first thing people see."

Coun Dave Smith said youths had congregated at the station for a few weeks and a number of residents had contacted him with their concerns.

Carolyn Watson, from Northern Rail, said: "Litter is cleared on a weekly basis.

"We also have a person in the community who provides extra help.

"It is planned that CCTV will soon be installed at the station by the council."

Insp Andrea Bradbury said: "We arrested one man in the area on February 17 for being drunk and disorderly."