RESIDENTS in more than 30 streets in Burnley have signed up for an "alleygating" scheme aimed at locking out burglars and arsonists.

The council has been given £80,000 to install gates across backstreets where residents suffer from high numbers of break-ins, arson attacks and rubbish dumping.

Coun Tony Lambert said: "I have now received a substantial number of petitions and have handed them into the town nall.

"Alley gates are a mean of ensuring that activities such as burglaries, fly tipping, and anti-social behaviour in the backstreets are eliminated. Residents have the right to feel safe and secure in their own homes, and also to have a pleasant environment outside their gate."

In order for a street to have the gates fitted all homeowners must sign a petition which is sent to the council. Getting everyone to agree can sometimes be a problem.

"Not all the petitions for alleygating are problem free, but often the difficulties can be overcome by providing more information about what alleygating is intended to achieve. In Trinity we are fortunate to have a dedicated team of workers who have the time and expertise to assist residents."

It is also hoped the alleygating scheme will benefit shopkeepers in Coal Clough Lane by raising the profile of the area.

The council has been given £80,000 for alleygating and the town hall has so far received around 24 petitions.

A council spokesman said it was now considering which streets will have the gates fitted. It hopes to have completed work by January 2004

Coun Lambert added: "This scheme looks as if it it could be very successful at improving people's feelings of safety and quality of life in Trinity. Even our local bobbies, PC Adam Gordon and PC Justin Brown, have received requests from residents.

"We all have our fingers crossed that the submitted petitions will be successful."