Residents of an English housing estate have installed pink lights that show up teenagers' pimples in a bid to stop them gathering in the area and causing trouble.

Members of the Layton Burroughs Residents' Association in Mansfield say they have bought the lights in a bid to curb anti-social behaviour, the BBC reports.

The lights, installed in three underpasses on the estate, are said to have a calming influence, but they also highlight skin blemishes.

Association chairman Tony Gelsthorpe said the lights were important for residents.

"We've had problems with underage drinking, drug dealing, anti-social behaviour and general intimidation.

"I was a little bit dubious about the pink lights at first but it's done the trick. We've got to think of our residents and we've got to live here at the end of the day."

National Youth Agency development officer Peta Halls said anything that aimed to embarrass people out of an area was not on.

"The pink lights are indiscriminate in that they will impact on all young people and older people who do not, perhaps, have perfect skin."

