THE controversial sale of a part of Trickett's Memorial Ground in Waterfoot is set to proceed, despite many objections.

Councillors are being advised by officers to sell the land off Burnley Road East which has been rented for 16 years by a resident of Thistlemount for use as a garden. The applicant now has planning permission for a conservatory and has applied to buy the land.

Workers at the former Henry Trickett's footwear factory, in Gaghills, gave part of their salary to pay for the memorial ground to workers from the mill who died in the world wars.

Rossendale Council had received objections from 11 residents and Rossendale Civic Trust, calling for the land to remain a War Memorial.

But in a report to tomorrow's corporate policy committee, Christine Sheasby, estates assistant, says: "The majority of objectors would appear to believe that this is vacant land available for distribution to prospective purchasers and this is not the case.

"It must be borne in mind that this land is tenanted and has been used and enjoyed for garden purposes for a considerable number of years without detracting from the amenity value of the memorial gardens.

"I see no reason why the council should not sell this land to the existing tenant and am recommending that the proposed sale should proceed."

Olive Trickett, the widow of Henry Whittaker Trickett -- the nephew of Sir Henry, who founded the mill -- has written to object, saying: "I was surprised to learn that a portion of this park has already been leased.

"This surely must be in contradiction to any terms left by Sir Henry and the local wishes and intentions when this memorial was created. Is nothing sacred?"

Jack Trickett, 93, of Edgeside Lane, Waterfoot, contributed towards the memorial ground being established when he worked at Henry Trickett's, although the factory owner was no relation. He said: "This memorial was to honour and remember loved ones who lost their lives in the two wars and should be kept for that purpose."

Jean and Derrick Stannard, of Church Street, Newchurch, objected, saying: "I've read that the council is contemplating selling part of Trickett's Memorial Ground -- How can they?

" It isn't theirs to sell it's ours, the citizens of Rossendale and we are determined to keep it as the amenity it has been since I was a child and that means all of it."

Rita Worden, of Burnley Road East, Water, said: "To think you (the council) may sell part of Trickett's Memorial Park is beyond belief.

"You should be looking after these interests not thinking of selling them off."