Youngsters are being given free trips bowling and rock climbing in a bid to stop anti-social behaviour.

A Shipley supermarket has teamed up with police to prevent young troublemakers ending up with criminal records.

Asda, which opens for 24 hours in the town centre, is a social hotspot for crowds of youngsters.

Duty manager Caroline Kelly said last year teenage troublemakers made life difficult for staff and customers by hanging around in large groups during evenings and weekends.

"We had been suffering up until November quite badly with groups of kids and teenagers causing a nuisance. The police approached us trying to stop the issue going any further,'' she said.

PC Mark Scrimshaw said the teens were not breaking the law but the police were keen to not let the problem escalate into anti-social crime.

He said: "We realised if we were complacent things may build up again. We had complaints about their behaviour and we thought if it was left unchecked it might cause similar problems to ones in the past.

"We wanted to show them there is more to life than sitting on a wall in the middle of Shipley.''

The police selected eight teenagers from the town centre gang who they believed might have an influence on the rest of the youngsters.

And by holding regular educational sessions followed by an incentive treat, such as bowling or rock climbing, the police have been encouraging the teens to think about their behaviour.

Asda has been providing packed meals for the youngsters during the evening meetings.

"We picked the ones we felt had a bit of personality and who perhaps would influence others in the gang,'' said PC Scrimshaw.

Mrs Kelly said she had seen a marked improvement in the levels of anti-social behaviour since the beginning of the programme.

"I'm really surprised at how positive it has been. It's a real pleasure to get involved and see such a positive difference. If we have seen that then the rest of the town must have as well,'' she said.

Inspector Owen West at Shipley said so far the police were pleased with the operation. "It makes them think about their surroundings, the perception of other members of the public and community safety,'' he added.