THE leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council is calling on residents to put an end to their fight against the controversial Darwen academy.

Coun Colin Rigby has appealed to the two Redearth Triangle residents to accept the multi-million pound academy is a reality of life' and that it is going to happen'.

The move comes as Adrian Walker, of Redearth Street, and Thomas Brian, of Sunnybank Street, are preparing to lodge an appeal against the High Court ruling last week to allow demolition works to begin on the site by confirming the compulsory purchase of their homes.

The appeal must be lodged by Thursday.

Mr Walker and Mr Brian are also seeking an injunction to stop demolition of the Redearth site.

The pair are two of the 11 residents still living in the Redearth Triangle.

The other homes have already been compulsorily purchased by Blackburn with Darwen Council for the scheme.

Coun Rigby said: "I think this has gone on for long enough.

"They need to accept this is a reality of life, that it is going to happen.

"People have the right to object but they have gone far enough down the road.

"They are getting progress, a state-of-the-art academy in place of Darwen Moorland.

"And they are getting in the way of it. It is getting a bit silly.

"I have no idea about the total cost but it is costing thousands of pounds a week.

"They have the right to appeal but it's just nuisance value.

"But if this appeal is given the go ahead we have no choice but to keep fighting."

Simon Huggill, Liberal Democratic councillor who represented residents at the inquiry in June and has remained in close contact with them since, said: "The council decided to go down the legal route, and Mr Walker and Mr Brian are simply following the process through."