COUNCIL employees have complained about people spitting and throwing things at them because of a lack of security at Rossendale town hall.

Members of the corporate services committee have now called for an urgent meeting with staff and unions to discuss the problem with the town hall in Rawtenstall.

Coun Nick Pilling said: "While staff are being hit and are in danger, I think we must do something urgently to alleviate that position."

Requests for action were made by staff and trade unions to the borough treasurer Richard Hargreaves and a report to the committee said there were only two interview rooms, the structure was not conducive for a confidential discussion and the area is not secure for staff who are dealing with people who may become violent.

Several projects need to be carried out on council buildings to meet the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 which comes into force in April 2004. At the meeting it was decided £70,000 worth of work on the town hall, including improving the reception area, the Lord Street entrance and cash collection desk and adding a lift to the council chamber as well as external works on the approach to the town hall should become a priority.

Coun George Lee said: "I think we should take it to the overview and scrutiny to look into the report and bring it back to the committee with proposals." But Rossendale Council is currently negotiating with developers with a view to building a new town hall.

Council leader Coun John Holt said: "The top priority has to be the town hall but because of the discussions ongoing at present about the redevelopment of this site and adjacent sites. I just wonder whether we ought to agree a priority list."

He said he was concerned that to carry out work now might lead to the council being criticised if the redevelopment went ahead and the town hall ended up being demolished.

Chief executive Steven Hartley said the town centre redevelopment plans were currently waiting for a quantity surveyor's report which would come back to committee.