Police have been keeping a presence in Leigh Old Town today as a 24 hour dispersal order continues. 

A dispersal order has been put in place amid anti-social behaviour and repeated Covid breaches.

The 24 hour order runs until 6.30pm tonight. 

It comes after a large group of people were seen gathered in crowds along the seafront yesterday afternoon.

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Police feared the group's anti-social behaviour would have continued into this evening.

The zone - which gives police special powers to order people to leave - also includes Leigh Library Gardens - a key part of Leigh where young people congregate.

Our pictures show police vehicles seen across the area as people went about enjoying the sunshine. 

The waterfront and beach were busy as people relaxed during the Easter school holidays. 

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Witnesses say Leigh Old Town was left covered in broken glass and food.

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Business owners have spoken out on the trouble amid fears the street drinkers will return once the dispersal order has finished.

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Sara Welton, the owner of Sara's Tea Gardens in the old town, said: "It was carnage, it was so bad.

"There was broken glass everywhere. The bins are so full."

Leigh saw a wave of anti-social behaviour problems in the summer, with crowds seen street drinking.