AROUND 60 youths gathered on a park in Horwich on Friday evening despite coronavirus restrictions being in place in the borough banning people from different household being allowed to meet up.

Eyewitnesses spotted teenagers meeting up at Old Station Park at around 7.30pm and said loud music was being played.

Reports of cannabis being smoked and alcohol being consumed at the scene were made too.

One resident who lives in the area said: "It showed a total disregard for the recent sharp increase in reported covid-19 cases and a disregard for not being allowed meet with friends and gatherings.

"On Saturday morning there were smashed bottles on paths near benches and the kids playground and pizza boxes were left around."

Horwich and Blackrod councillor Peter Wright expressed his thoughts on the incident, which comes at a time when the virus infection rate among young people has been growing nationally.

He said: "I am concerned that young people have been gathering in numbers.

"Overall most of our youth are well behaved and it is only a minority that are meeting up in groups.

"We need to get the message out there and encourage people to keep doing social distancing.

"Younger people may not be affected as much by covid-19 but they could pass it on to older members of their family.

"It is about being responsible and parents should also know where their children are"

If you have any information about the gathering at Old Station Park in Horwich on Friday evening contact police on 101.