BLACKPOOL Council says it hasn't ruled out rebuilding Devonshire Road Junior School on its original site after more than 1,000 people objected to a planned move to a local recreation land.

The council wants to use the Layton recreational area, off Mather Street, to build a new school after last year's fire.

Campaigners handed in letters of objection collected from 1,125 people at the town hall on Monday in a bid to block the proposals.

One campaigner, Alaine Brophy of Stirling Road, Layton, said: "This area and, in particular, the tower blocks, has all kinds of social problems. There is drug abuse, alcoholism and vandalism. This is, effectively, their garden.

"People exercise their dogs there, children play there.

"We have had objections from people with no connection to the school, who just believe that the school should remain on its current site.

"We have heard that the new building will also be constructed from glass. Well, children managed to burn down a brick building which had stood for 100 years. What would happen to a building made of glass?

"Not only do they want to build a school, they also want to build a floodlit all purpose games area but we are less than a mile from Stanley Park where you have all the sports facilities you could possibly want."

Campaigners also argue that a new building on the site will be more expensive than rebuilding at Devonshire Road and say they are not convinced that promised replacement recreational facilities at the school site will adequately replace the lost recreation fields. But Blackpool Council's director of education and children's services, David Lund, said: "The cost comparisons between the two sites are quite complicated. To build on the current site would involve significant disruption for the infant school children who are currently there. Work is being undertaken in terms of the logistics of building on the current site.

"If we decide not to proceed with Layton recreation area, which we believe is the better option, we do have the option of the current site.

"Now that the consultation period has ended in concerning Layton Recreation Ground, we need to weigh up any objections against the needs which exist to improve the delivery of education provision.

"Should a school be built on the Layton Recreation Ground, it is perhaps important to point out that the proposal would include the development of the old site for local recreation purposes."

Mr Lund also dismissed claims that the land had been left for recreational use by former mayor, Cllr Mather.

"Records show that the land was bought by the council for £4,386 on February 28 1923," he added: "There were no restrictions on its future use."

And Mr Lund says plans for the school's design, being prepared by nationally-renowned architects, BDP, have not yet been finalised.

If the land is appropriated for education use, a further planning application will have to be submitted for the development.