THEY were once portrayed as the root of all housing evil. Menacing, grey skyscrapers filled with families who really didn't want to be there. But while the solution for many towerblocks has been to pull them down, several in Blackburn have survived and become the ideal retirement retreat for the borough's ageing population. DAVID HIGGERSON reports

HAZEL and Fred Dickinson had suffered it all.

Frightened to leave their home at night because a gang of youths had made their area a target, they could only watch helplessly as their car was vandalised 14 times, friends and relatives taunted and their home pelted with objects.

So they decided to ask to move into one of Blackburn's few remaining towerblocks.

The couple have joined a growing band of pensioners who have decided to leave their homes or sheltered accommodation in favour of the three towerblocks in the Daisyfield area of Blackburn.

For years, the question of what to do with high-rise housing has plagued councils and housing associations.

Traditionally a magnet for crime and disorder, flats throughout the country had become a desperately unpopular place to live by the early 1990s -- a far cry from their status in the 1950s and 1960s when they were hailed the answer to Britain's overcrowded terraced streets.

Many blocks have been demolished or are earmarked for a similar fate.

The trio in Daisyfield, however, have survived after Blackburn with Darwen Council, and then Twin Valley Homes, which took over the council's housing stock, earmarked then for 'older tenants' -- generally those over 50.

Bron Halliwell, a tenant support worker for the Blackburn North Area, has been responsible for developing the project.

She said: "We didn't have that many problems in Daisyfield compared with other tower blocks and when we began demolishing blocks in Mill Hill, there was a lot of concern that the same would happen there.

"It became apparent from talking to the residents' association that demolition wasn't the preferred option.

"Unlike the other tower blocks, it was quite empty, but at the same time, there wasn't anyone to fill the flats which were vacant.

"There was already an elderly population in there and it seemed as an ideal scheme to try here."

The council and Twin Valley have spent thousands installing new cameras in the three tower blocks and now also employ a live-in caretaker in each block. Extra steps are also taken to make sure the lifts always work, and that the security intercom is always up and running to keep any troublemakers out. Each block has 61 flats. Bron added: "And we now have a waiting list of more than 100 people who want to come and live here.

"Although high rise blocks of flats may seem an obvious choice for retirement, they provide secure, quiet accommodation for people who may not want to live in their own homes any more or who may want to move into somewhere smaller.

"We carefully check who comes in here to make sure the accommodation is suitable for them and vice versa. If we didn't do that, it could wreck the whole project for everyone."

Mr and Mrs Dickinson, 72 and 66 respectively have lived in the Trinity Court tower block for a year.

Mr Dickinson said: "Before this, we lived in sheltered accommodation and that was a nightmare because of all the damage that was done.

"Our car was vandalised time and time again and things were thrown at the building.

"We didn't feel safe to go out at night. We asked to move here when we saw it advertised and we haven't looked back."

Mrs Dickinson, who suffers from mobility problems, added: "It is an excellent place to live. It is quiet and we feel safe.

"The flat is quite large, with two big bedrooms and a nice lounge area.

"We know everyone on our floor so we soon know if someone had got in when they shouldn't have.

"We couldn't ask for anywhere better to live, it is certainly much better than where we were before.

"The burglars certainly need a long ladder to get here."

At the neighbouring St Michael's Court, Arthur Clark has spent the last year decorating his flat.

He moved into the flat after deciding to sell his old home when he retired last year. His wife died several years before.

He said: "It is one of the best things I have done.

"The flat is nice and above all, I feel safe. I have spent a lot of time decorating it and I think I almost have it right.

"When I retired, I thought the other house was just too big.

"I never thought I would move into a tower block, but it is one of the best things I have done.

"It is something which should be repeated for other people in other areas."

The success of the scheme has led Space Housing Association, which bought the three Larkhill blocks from the council, to copy it.

They have kept one block up and demolished two.

Bron added: "We have proved it can work, and work well. It is no surprise that others are following suit."

Changing fortunes of Blackburn's high rise blocks

LARKHILL

THE first three blocks of flats in Blackburn were built in 1964. The council by the idea it immediately drafted plans for more -- this time on the site of the current Bolton Road/Park Road retail park. That plan never materialised. In 1999, the flats were sold, with Housing Association Space demolishing two blocks, leaving Bowland House as an OAP shelter.

QUEEN'S PARK

THE second high-rise development took place here, opening just a couple of years later. Again, three blocks of flats providing homes to hundreds of families appeared almost overnight. Within years they had become unpopular, with people opting to keep their feet on the ground. Already evacuated, the buildings are scheduled for demolition in the new year.

MILL HILL

THE final set of flats to appear arrived on Blackburn skyline in 1999.

They too, proved unpopular with residents, who, like the other blocks, had to deal with leaky roofs from top to bottom. Residents were moved out of the flats. The land, it is hoped, will be used for a new housing project.