CAMPAIGNERS against motocross activities at a Tockholes farm today spoke of their delight after the landowners were refused a certificate of lawfulness.

Protests against the use of land at Shaws Farm for motorbiking have continued for many years with villagers and local councillors complaining about the noise arising from it.

Enforcement action was taken by Blackburn with Darwen Council against the owner of Shaws Farm, which means that the land can only be used by motocross riders for 14 days every year.

But residents were devastated when they heard that owner Dorothy Gradwell, who owns the site with her husband, had applied for a certificate of lawfulness to legally continue using the site on a more regular basis. However, it was revealed today that the certificate had been refused - although the owners could still appeal against it.

Coun Jean Rigby, who has campaigned on behalf of villagers, said: "The certificate of lawfulness has been refused which is obviously good news but I think they will appeal against it. At the moment it's a case of sitting back and waiting for the outcome to this.

"They are still entitled to hold events 14 times a year. They have had one big event this year so far, but the activity has not been anything like it has been in the past.

"We are more concerned at the moment that they have installed things such as some toilets on site without planning permission." The owners of the farm believe there is a need for a motocross track because it is so popular and it is safer because it stops people from riding where they should not be. And they have defended their stance by claiming that the motocross was not too loud - and that it had been a regular fixture at the site for more than 20 years, providing much needed space for a popular activity.

But villagers and local councillors have campaigned on the grounds that it has not been a continuous activity and causes disruption to residents.

One resident, who has lived in the village several years, said: "If it stays that way it is obviously good news but until we know whether they will appeal, it is still a bit up in the air.

"They haven't been as noisy this year yet, but there has been bad weather so far so it is difficult to say."