A COUNCIL planning boss has urged people to ignore leaflets which say their homes could be part of a large scale demolition.

Adam Scott, director of regeneration, housing and neighbourhoods, today aimed to reassure people over leaflets which say "150 houses in the Redearth triangle is only the start. 3,178 houses are to be demolished by 2012 between Darwen and Blackburn."

Thousands of leaflets have been produced by residents of Redearth Street clearance area who are also planning a phone campaign against the council.

Mr Scott said: "These are unfounded rumours which we fear are being generated by campaigners against the Redearth Road clearance area.

"Regeneration plans for Darwen are about protecting and enhancing communities. No large scale demolition is proposed apart from in the areas where the state of the properties makes it imperative, which are in areas that are already known about."

Jenette Wood, is a member of the committee delivering the leaflets and lives in Star Street. She said: "We are waiting for the council to try and compulsorily purchase our homes and we will take it to a public inquiry. We are distributing leaflets all over Darwen so people know what is being planned.

"It said in September's executive board agenda that there would be a total of 3,178 clearances by 2016 which equates to 227 per year."