AN ELDERLY Blackpool couple say their lives have been blighted by a church building being constructed by the side of their home.

David and Mollie Moreton, of Darley Avenue, say that the building -- a parish centre at St Christopher's Church, Hawes Side Lane -- is having a catastrophic effect on their home, causing loss of light, heavy noise and over-dominating their house.

Mr Moreton, 69, said: "From Hawes Side Lane it looks OK. From Darley Avenue it's just a monstrosity. It's nearly in my garden. We used to do a lot in the garden but when the roof goes on we will be all in the shade.

"It's supposed to be a two-storey building but it will be more like three storeys when the roof is in place.

"We've been here 45 years and brought up four children and have always been very happy. I can't see anybody buying the house with that at the side of it. We are Christians but if this is Christianity it's just not nice."

The Moretons objected to the proposed plans, which were passed -- after several previous rejections -- in January last year. Planners from Blackpool Borough Council were unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.

A Church of England spokesman said that the parish centre, costing at least £600,000, will be a major resource for church and community groups as well as offering conference, leisure and training facilities.

"While the church always attempts to be a good neighbour this is a major project to help the community in Blackpool and obviously all the normal planning procedures have been observed.

"The time to make objections was when those procedures were taking place."

The parish centre, pictured here mid-construction, is being completed through a mixture of funding, including a £451,000 lottery grant -- believed to be the largest ever awarded to a church-based project in the North West -- and parishioner donations.

Mrs Moreton, 68, added: "I've been fighting this for two years and I haven't been able to sleep at all. The devastation brought upon our home and into our lives is clearly evident to all but the unseeing eyes of authority."