A PLAY area in Colne which has been described as a refuge for youths avoiding the police anti-drinking campaign Operation Flock could be closed down.

During a discussion about Colne's Capital Programme at the Colne and District Committee, Councillor Alan Davies asked if £1,000 could be put aside to sort out the problem play ground next to the Byron Road Social Centre after he had heard a growing number of complaints about it.

He said that the streets surrounding the area, including Stratford Way and St Stephen's Way, were mainly occupied by elderly people and the playground was not used by children.

Coun Davies said: "It has become a refuge for youths who are avoiding the police presence of Operation Flock in the town centre and on a Friday and Saturday night it is absolutely absurd.

"The fence has been broken down and there is broken glass which makes it impossible for children to use it. I can't think of a more inappropriate place for a children's playground."

Coun Davies moved that Colin Patten, services manager parks, be instructed to remove this play area as soon as practical using any revenue balance that could be saved and any small sums available out of the Capital Programme.

The equipment would be stored until it could be decided where to relocate it.

Councillor Gill Gilhespy asked for Mr Patten to come back to the next committee meeting with suggested areas in that part of Colne where the play ground could be re-established.

Mr Patten said the equipment could be removed but the asphalt pad it currently stands on would have to remain for the immediate future.

Inspector Richard Morgan, of Colne Police, said: "It is hard to draw a comparison between Operation Flock and the problems on this playground. There were problems on that playground before Operation Flock."