COUNCIL bosses have vowed to take action to protect pedestrians after an eight-year-old girl was injured in Blackburn Cathedral grounds.

Charlotte Sumner fell down a 20in deep and 14in wide unmarked hole when walking along the grassy verge next to the pavement at the junction between Church Street and Darwen Street with her mother.

She now faces a miserable few weeks during school holidays and will not be able to start Morris dancing lessons at Westbury Gardens United Reformed Church as planned.

The pupil at St Peter's junior school, Watson Street, has been having treatment for a sprained and bruised left ankle.

Her mum, Susan, 38, of Mill Hill, Blackburn, branded the hole a "liability" and is seeking legal advice and compensation. It is partly hidden by overgrown grass, she said.

Michael Wedgeworth, spokesperson for the Blackburn diocese, confirmed that the hole was situated on cathedral grounds but that maintenance of the land was the responsibility of Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Adam Scott, director of regeneration, housing and neighbourhoods with the council, said: "We will conduct an inspection of the site and take appropriate action to ensure safety for pedestrians."

Mrs Sumner said: "The accident could have been much worse as there could have been glass lying around or an elderly person could have fallen with no-one around to help.

"As it was, my daughter fell to her knees and a friend and I had to haul her out. She had to sit down and was in shock.

"It is dangerous and lots of people walk on the grass to cut the corner. It should have been cordoned off at the very least, not simply left. I am very angry about the incident and want something positive done about it, not just talk."