BOB McDermott suffered a nervous breakdown last year after losing contact with his daughter.

He was sectioned under the Mental Health Act at Burnley General Hospital, where he spent almost a year in recovery.

Today he speaks frankly about his time at the Hendly Hotel and how, if it wasn't for owner Bernard Collins, he may not be here today.

Bob, a 46-year-old who used to live in Burnley, said: "If I didn't live here I would probably be out on the streets right now.

"The council do all they can to help you, but there aren't many places like this around here for people who are homeless or jobless.

"The place has its ups and downs but, on the whole, it's not a bad place and I know I'd rather be here than out on the streets."

The dispute between councillors and Mr Collins has been rumbling on since the death of tragic Abigail Gallagher at the hotel on January 7.

Abigail, 24, died in room six, where Bob is currently staying. At the inquest earlier this year, the coroner recorded an open verdict.

Mr Collins claims it is this reason why councillors have been complaining about the hotel and calling for its closure. But Pendle Council chiefs admit that the hotel has been complying with regulations set out by the authority after on-the-spot inspections have been carried out.

Bernard, who has run the Hendly for 15 years, says the property is used chiefly to provide temporary bed and breakfast accommodation for young people with no alternative housing.

Another resident, ex-alcoholic Alex Butterworth, 35, said the hotel is his haven: "It's a good place to come home to. It has a welcoming feel to it.

"Bernard runs a tight ship and won't take any messing. You get all kinds of people staying here, but the majority are sound people who just need somewhere to stay."

Not all residents play by the rules however. Susan Lee, who helps Bernard run the hotel with her husband David, says she was attacked when one of the residents started smashing up the pool room recently.

Susan, who also lives at the hotel, said: "Most of the people living here are reasonable and respectable people who just don't have jobs, or who are on the sick.

"Unfortunately we don't get to know anything about them from the council until they get here because of Data Protection issues.

"This man flipped and started tearing all the material off the chairs and kicking in the doors. I went to ring 999 and ended up with him wrapping the telephone wire round my neck trying to strangle me. That was quite scary, but this is an extreme story."

Mr Collins previously ran a hotel along Blackpool's seafront, before he bought the Queen Street hotel.

His wife, Margaret, moved to Surrey after the hassle of running the hotel got too much.

Bernard, 58, said he is sick of all the nit picking from councillors and claimed all he is trying to do is provide a vital community service while earning himself a living.

He added: "People will ask why do I do it, but it's just a case of these people need somewhere to stay. These people exist, so if we were to close where would they go ? The answer would be on the streets most probably."

John Kirk, Pendle Council's executive director (services), said: "We inspect the premises regularly to ensure it meets certain regulations.

"It's doubtful that it's a hotel, it's more likely a house of multiple occupation rather than a normal hotel. We are treating it, for inspection purposes as a house of multiple occupancy. The owner reasonably complies with the regulations."