A DECISION to close a football pitch used by more than 700 people each week has sparked fury.

The astro-turf pitch at Audley Junior and Infant School was closed yesterday with the school and council officials claiming it is unsafe.

However, players from more than 60 football teams who use the full-sized, floodlit, astro-turf facility dispute this and say the closure will lead to teenagers being ‘left on the street’’.

And community leaders have said they will fight tooth and nail for it to be re-opened.

Users said they were given just five days notice that the pitch, described as ‘affordable to all’ and a ‘hub of the Audley community’ ,was to close The pitch was built 11 years ago and was funded by the Big Lottery Fund for both school and community use.

A number of amateur football clubs, including Blackburn United, have regular training and academies running from the pitch.

Councillors have been told the pitch will not be replaced with astro-turf and will instead have a surface which can be used for ‘additional playtime space’ for the junior school.

Linda Clegg, director of Children’s Services at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “There have been both internal and external independent inspections of the current provision and it has been deemed unfit for use, in a state of disrepair and unsafe in its current state.

“The land and provision belong to the school and any decisions relating to the use and requirements of it are school decisions.

“The governing bodies of both the infant and junior schools have made a decision that it will not be used for the children or open for public access at this time.

“The school needs facilities for a full and varied PE curriculum for the children and discussions are ongoing in relation to an appropriate surface that meets the schools’ needs, enables use as additional playtime space and supports community use.

“Urgent work will begin shortly so that the full curriculum can be delivered in line with Ofsted expectations.

“It should be noted that there are alternative astro-turf pitches available for community use at the nearby Blackburn Central High School.”

The decision has been met with anger from users.

Zain Rabani, from Audley, said: “We have been playing there for years and years, for almost 10 years. They’ve charged cheap prices and great service for a very long time.

“It would be a massive loss for our community and would tempt many young children to divert back to the streets.”

Sunhan Ainarkar, 22, said: “A lot of young people in this day and age can’t afford to pay the extortionate prices that alternative pitches charge, some being up to £60 an hour, in comparison to £15 an hour.

“I feel that there has been a huge injustice to the youths of the area.”

Community leader Saleem Kapadi said: “The fear amongst the community is this will lead to youths hanging around on street corners and causing anti-social behaviour.

“The youths who play on this pitch have been approaching and phoning me for help and guidance because their primary enjoyment and hobby is being taken away “I’m totally shocked about the way this is handled.”

Councillor Salim Sidat, ward councillor, said: “The school own the centre. They have decided that they want to change the playing surface from an astro-turf to a Sport England approved surface.

“I am fighting tooth and nail to keep an astro turf pitch.”

Councillor Jan Virmani, who also represents the area, said that the decision was made by school governors.

He said: “Inspections have shown the pitch is not fit for purpose and the school have decided to replace it. There are astro-turf pitches at Blackburn Central High School which is nearby.”