PRESTON council are looking at selling off sheltered accommodation in Deepdale in order to house ex-prisoners.

Newton House, off Deepdale Road, home to a dozen elderly residents, is rumoured to be on the brink of being sold off to the Prison Service.

The Citizen has also learned that the Prison Service is interested in the long-vacant water board building opposite Preston prison on Ribbleton Lane.

It is understood the building would be used as an administration office while the sheltered accommodation block could be home to more than a dozen ex-offenders.

A spokesperson for the Prison Service, said: "We can confirm that the Prison Service is looking at various sites, but nothing at the moment has been finally agreed. There are plans for a drug hostel for ex-offenders."

Deepdale councillor Terry Cartwright, said: "It seems a pity we have to lose a sheltered accommodation for it to be used for possible rehabilitation for ex-offenders. It doesn't seem fair to me that we have rundown a sheltered accommodation and the only way to wash our hands of it is to flog it off and move residents elsewhere."

Jim Carr, chief executive of the council, said: "We have only recently been made aware of this potential project by the Prison Service. The council and its partners within the Community Safety Partnership will need to look closely at any proposals that come forward."