COUNCIL bosses are investigating claims a five-year-old boy wandered out of a council-run play scheme and walked down a busy main road.

Joanne Slinger said that so far she has been "fobbed off" by council officers and staff at Shadsworth Leisure Centre, where her son Elliot was attending daily out-of-school activity sessions.

But council bosses have said all parents should be aware of how their "open access" schemes worked.

Elliot, a pupil at St Peter's, Mill Hill, told his mum that he had walked out of the centre with a nine-year-old boy.

They had gone to Jan's service station, 400 metres further down Shadsworth Road, where the older boy had bought a drink.

"He didn't even know the other boy's name," said Joanne. "My first thought was of Jamie Bulger and what happened to him in Liverpool. Fortunately, Elliot is fine and didn't realise that anything was wrong but that doesn't make it any less serious.

"I felt sick when Elliot told me what had happened, but so far nobody has done or said anything to reassure me," said Joanne, 26, who lives in the Griffin area of Blackburn. "Elliot has not been back there but as far as I know the sessions are still going on and I wonder if anything has been done to ensure nobody else wanders out."

Joanne said she had been told by staff at the Leisure Centre that children would not be allowed to leave on their own.

Under the Children's Act, organisations such as councils cannot hold children against their will. Signs explaining this to parents are placed prominently all around play schemes, including the counter where parents pay for their children to take part in play schemes.

Parents have the option of remaining with their child, although staff are told to use their common sense if they see a potentially dangerous situation.

Coun Kate Hollern, executive member for leisure and culture for Blackburn with Darwen Council said: "Open access play schemes are operated across Blackburn and Darwen.

"Information posters are prominently displayed.

"A complaint has been received and we are looking into the matter.

"We have been discussing the issues with the parent and will be in contact with her again."