RESIDENTS in Nelson who claim their cars and houses have been struck by cricket balls fear that the sport will be allowed to continue despite their concerns.

Ringstone Crescent Recreation Ground has been used for both football and cricket for a number of years but recently residents have complained of balls hitting their property and on one occasion a child was hit on the knee.

A five-page petition was submitted by residents to the council asking for the cricket to be stopped but last August it was decided that matches should be allowed to continue until the end of the 2001 season, with the situation being monitored.

At a meeting of the Nelson Committee this week, members decided to carry out a full review of the sports facilities available for cricket.

But resident Duncan McNeill said he believed the problem would continue and those living in Ringstone Crescent will end up with the cricket again next year.

He said: "People have had cricket balls in their gardens, hitting their houses, their cars and they are going right over the roof, not just down the side of the house. The council said they could continue playing until the end of the season and that they were having someone monitoring the situation.

"They have now said they are looking at all the facilities in Pendle but I think at the end of the day we will get stitched up.

" like using the middle wicket or moving them to Swinden Playing Fields and if that doesn't work stop it and try something else.

"There's a sign up now banning golf after a golf ball was hit through my neighbour's window. If golf's banned because it's dangerous, why isn't cricket because that can do just as much damage?"

One of the committee members backing the residents' plea was Marsden ward councillor Dorothy Ormrod.

She said: " I feel sorry for the cricketers as well because we want people to be able to play cricket but it's just a safety thing.

"One man got in touch with me and he said he had heard a thud on his kitchen door which is at the side of the house. A cricket ball had come down the side of his house, over his caravan, hit the back door step and ricocheted a foot away from his granddaughter who was playing in the back garden."