POLICE have reassured frightened families that a paedophile has not moved into their area and warned people not to take the law into their own hands.

The warning came after families living in the Peel Park area of Accrington were told a man who recently moved in with a local family was a child molester.

And the man, who is not being named by police, claims he was attacked after a disturbance outside his home.

Two men and two women called at houses last week and told residents that a sex offender chased out of Brierfield had come to live in their street.

Police were called to a disturbance in the street but no arrests were made.

Inspector Peter Zsigmond said: "We are aware that there was a disturbance in the area but people can be reassured there is no threat to their safety. "We are not aware of anyone living in the area who is on the sex offenders register or anybody who has recently moved into the area who needs to be placed on the register.

"If there is any action that needs to be taken - and we are not saying there is - then the police will deal with the situation."

One frightened mother, who does not want to be named, said: "People came knocking on my door and said a paedophile had moved into the street.

"We were all very concerned because most people who live round here have families and we were frightened for our children's safety.

"If a paedophile is living in the area then I think we have right to know that our children could be at risk." The man at the centre of the rumours claimed he was punched in the face following a row.

He said: "I just want to be left alone I have been living in fear since all this happened.

"What people are saying about me is not true and I have not done anything to harm anyone."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.