ANTI-VANDAL watchers at Hartley Hospital are worried it could be at risk from an arson attack.

They say teenagers have smashed windows at the former hospital in Colne and forced their way through the main door into the building and into the out-patient department.

Pensioner Ruth Starkie and her friends made one of their regular checks at the empty hospital on Sunday and were horrified at what they found.

Mrs Starkie has kept watch on the empty hospital for nearly five years.

She said: "We couldn't believe it. The lock had been broken off the door and it was open to the elements.

"Some of the old people who live in the Hartley Homes came with us and they were heartbroken at what they saw.

"The thing that really worried us was that whoever had broken in had soaked some washing-up mops in paraffin. It doesn't take much to see what is going to happen next. The next step is a fire, and surely nobody wants that."

The elderly monitors reported their findings to the police.

Mrs Starkie added: "We went round with a policeman to have a look and it had been vandalised very badly.

"The police do go round there and they do their best, but they can't be there 24 hours a day.

"The sooner things get moving on this project for an old folks' village the better.

"I only hope it all goes ahead, and that the hospital can be used again by the people of Colne."

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