A BLACKBURN headteacher has warned motorists to stay off a playground which has been closed amid safety concerns.

The 15-year-old pitch at St Michael with St John Primary School in Swallow Drive, Blackburn, was condemned as dangerous by health and safety officials at the end of last term.

But frustrated motorists, who have been finding it more difficult to locate free town centre parking, are crowding the area off Barbara Castle Way.

Headteacher Kay Cant and the school's governing body took the decision to "reluctantly" close the all-weather pitch after hearing it would cost over £200,000 to replace. The pitch was used extensively by the school and the local community.

The area has now been covered over with Tarmac to keep it as a play area for the children, while the school and Blackburn with Darwen Council look at potential sources of funding to replace it.

"The pitch has been very well used over the years and has simply worn out to the point where it was dangerous," said Mrs Cant.

"We were heartbroken at having to close it but the safety of the children has to come first, as well as being legally required to do so by the Health and Safety Executive.

"But the Tarmac area is not a car park. It remains a play area and in the long term, if we can raise the money needed to put in an all weather pitch, it can act as a foundation for that.

"The pitch has been well used in the past by the local community and they are welcome to carry on using it."

Motorists have already been stopped from parking behind the train station in Railway Road, Blackburn and in the car park of the former Millennium nightclub in Ciceley Lane. Redevelopment of the site has been on the cards for several years.

Morrisons also introduced a new pay and display system at its 700-space car park in April. It now costs £2 for four hours and £4 for an eight-hour stay on the top level.