FOOTBALLERS who have had to wait more than three years for changing rooms at a popular Accrington venue could get some temporary shelter this week.

Hyndburn Council hopes to install seven steel changing block at King George V playing fields, Royds Avenue.

The plan has been submitted to development services chiefs who will discuss the matter tomorrow.

Sport at the fields suffered a setback when the ground's showpiece pavilion was burnt down in an arson attack in April 1996.

Despite numerous calls from local sportsmen and women for replacement facilities, they have been managing without changing rooms and have been changing elsewhere before playing.

Planning permission for a new pavilion, car park and better access was granted in August 1997 but no work has been carried out.

A bid for lottery cash to build a new pavilion has been submitted but council chiefs are still waiting to hear the outcome.

Several local residents have expressed concern that the new facilities could attract vandals.

But council chiefs intend to erect a fence topped with razor wire between the containers and people's back gardens, as well as putting wire on the roofs of the changing rooms.

A report to councillors says: "These steel containers are seen as a means of providing temporary facilities until such a time that funding is available to replace the original building.

"While accepting razor wire would not be visually attractive, residents believe the measures are necessary."

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