THE boss of a psychiatric hospital boss today admitted he was embarrassed by the escape of a dangerous patient as he prepared for a potentially-stormy public meeting.

Representatives from Kemple View, in Longsight Road, Langho, will join senior officials from Ribble Valley Borough Council and residents tonight to discuss proposals to build an 18-bed unit. According to Old Langho councillor Carl Ross, residents think the site is already big enough and are concerned about the hospital's security after a patient absconded in late August.

John Hill, 30, convicted of making threats to kill and said by police to be dangerous, was returned to the unit within 24 hours.

Peter Handy, hospital director, was hoping to send out a message of reassurance tonight. He said: "We are embarrassed by the recent absconsion and have taken steps accordingly and our overall absconsion rate compares favourably with other psychiatric sites.

"Sixty five per cent of our patients have access to the grounds. We do not operate as a prison or a high-security hospital. In my four years here, despite the concerns, a resident has never been harmed."

Mr Handy believes the unhappiness about the new 18-bed unit is down to the recent escape. He said that Kemple View already had permission to build a new 16-bed unit in an area close to the housing estate.

The proposed 18-bed facility would replace those plans, he added, and would be built on the opposite area of the site, away from the residents.

Mr Handy said: "I am surprised it is has such a level of public debate. We listened to the views of our neighbours and decided to move the new building.

"Clearly, we are committed to contributing to the democratic process of debate and I hope that tonight we can explain our plans and they will be receptive to them."

But Coun Ross said: "People are worried, frightened and have had enough. The residents think too much building has taken place already and they believe the place is not as secure as it should be.

"It has got to the stage now that Kemple View's buildings are close to their fences in their back yards. They look through their window and look directly at the residents of Kemple View.

"It is a case of when is it going to stop?. A lot of affluent and important people live around there, like half of the Rovers football team, and there is a lot of opposition to the plans."

Kemple View is a private unit which houses up to 64 patients who are referred under the Mental Health Act for treatment to stabilise and rehabilitate them back into society where possible.

It is not classed as a high or medium secure unit, but security measures include restricted-opening windows, double-entry doors that are locked and alarmed, perimeter fencing and CCTV.

Three people have escaped in the past three years, although one of those patients fled on a day trip.

The meeting, at the social club on the Rydings estate, starts at 6pm. Ribble Valley Borough Council's chief executive, head of planning, council leader and district councillors are to attend.