A DARWEN farmer struggling to stay financially afloat wants residents to think again about opposing his plans to create a caravan site in one of his fields.

Richard Wiggans, of Brocklehead Farm, Eccleshill, wants a 30-pitch touring caravan site to help him supplement his farming.

But his neighbours have submitted two petitions against the plans because they believe it will lead to an increase in noise, crime and litter.

Mr Wiggans, 60, wants to reassure them that the site will be run professionally and will not be used by travellers.

He said: "The government is pushing us to diversify because farmers are struggling.

"For us, farming started to go downhill with the BSE crisis and the foot and mouth crisis finished it off, so we had to start looking at something else to bring the money in.

"The objectors seem to think it is going to be a site for travellers but it will actually be a touring caravan site for people wanting weekend breaks and holidays.

"They are usually people over the age of 40 who are getting away for a quiet break and there's not usually a lot of children with them to be making noise.

"The site will include a toilet and shower block with disabled access and there will also be somewhere for people to wash pots.

"It would bring tourism to the area and boost trade at nearby pubs and shops. If it is refused, we would find it very difficult to survive on farming alone."

The first petition containing 114 signatures submitted to Blackburn with Darwen Council on June 25 cited grounds such as noise nuisance, a reduction in house values, increased crime and litter, and the problem of dangerous access.

A further petition of 75 signatures handed over on July 7 highlighed traffic, taxis, rats, rubbish and a disturbance to elderly residents.

East Rural ward councillor Fred Slater said: "I have spoken to people on both sides of the argument and can sympathise with each of them.

"The people living closest to the farm are concerned about what will be on the site and about the access to it, but Mr Wiggans is a farmer and farming isn't good at the moment.

"This is one way he can try to diversify, which the government is advising farmers to do. If it did go ahead, my only suggestion would be to put trees around it to try to conceal it from neighbours."