ANGRY residents in Brierfield and Colne last night launched a broadside at Pendle Council's executive over plans to demolish homes in the borough.

And senior figures also came under fire from Brierfield councillors and a former council leader who accused them of forming a conspiracy to sell residents short. The executive met at Nelson Town Hall to look at a report into a borough-wide revamp of run-down housing.

Council leader Alan Davies and his fellow councillors John David, Tony Greaves and David Whipp were asked by officers to back controversial proposals for Brierfield's 'canal corridor' and Colne's North Valley area.

But the Brierfield residents were amazed to find their option, which included in copies of the agenda sent out last week, was omitted from the executive's documents.

Coun Frank Clifford, who is supporting the fight, said residents and councillors had met to draw up an option to spare some homes earmarked for clearance in Brierfield.

He added: "We're not negative, we want this money but we want it used wisely."

Residents had arrived at the meeting hoping to see the measure agreed by the committee.

Coun Clifford told colleagues: "Officers in this report ask you to take this action - but you don't have this report as something has happened."

Former council leader Azhar Ali also hit out and called on the council to remember to "put people first."

But the chief executive, Stephen Barnes, said the proposal was no longer an option for the council and was removed from the agenda after a letter from Elevate telling them to speed up the process - or face losing cash.

Coun Greaves said there was no conspiracy to dupe resident- but agreed there had been "a cock-up."

He said the executive backed residents but members' hands were tied by Elevate's threat to pull funding unless the process was quickened.

Councillors agreed to press ahead with plans that will see lower Holden Road and King Street, Brierfield, pulled down, as well as homes in Bright Street, Colne, being cleared.

But they have agreed to meetings with residents and Elevate boss Max Steinberg over the housing scheme. The meeting also heard from a string of residents upset at the council's plans.

Schoolgirl Hayley Barker, who lives at Claremont Street, Brierfield, said: "I want to live her for the rest of my life because my friends are here."

Barbara Wheeler, who lives in Kent but owns a home in Barclay Street for holidays, drove from the South East for the meeting. She told the executive: "I think it's so wrong what you are doing."

And John Barker, from Bright Street, Colne, said: "I have spent a lot of money on my property - why do you want to knock it down?"