The future of a pre-school hangs in the balance because of fears that its base in the grounds of Whitefield Community Primary School could be used by drug addicts and community groups.

However, town hall bosses have quashed rumours that a drug counselling service will be run from the building, currently used by Lancaster Pre-School.

Instead, they say the plan is to lease the council-owned building to a playscheme during the day and run a homework club and tenants' association in the evenings.

Drop-in advice sessions could also be held by councillors, housing officers and police and old people and youngsters would be encouraged to use the facility.

The centre, formerly part of the school, is managed by the Besses Community Association. Council leader Derek Boden, a member of the association, said a meeting would be held on Monday (April 10) to discuss the matter.

He added: "It is a community facility and the only way it will work is if people agree to share it. We have got a community that really needs that kind of facility."

Jane Collins, an officer at Lancaster Pre-School, fears the plan would attract people to the building during the day and put children at risk. She also wants Bury Council to plough extra funding into the independent group which offers affordable provision in an "area of need.

"We have been in this building since 1991 and we have not had to share it with other groups at the same time," she said.

"We feel the centre isn't suitable for all the other groups as well as us.

"The plans would affect the way we run our pre-school and we do not feel we could offer this service if the change goes ahead."

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